Heat index to hit 40 Celsius in Metro on Thursday

Heat index in Metro Manila and parts of Luzon will remain within the 39- to 40- degrees Celsius range for the rest of the week until Sunday, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said.

The heat index in Metro Manila was forecast to be 39.5 degrees Celsius on Wednesday, 40 degrees Celsius on Thursday, 39.5 degrees on Friday, 39.3 degrees on Saturday, and 39 degrees on Sunday.

The 40 degrees Celsius forecast in Metro Manila on Thursday is the second hottest temperature for the rest of the week among major cities, next to the 40.1 degrees Celsius forecast in Iloilo/Bacolod City on Sunday—one degree Celsius away from “dangerous” level in the heat index (41 to 54 degrees Celsius).

A heat index between 32 to 41 degrees Celsius is categorized under “extreme caution” in Pagasa’s human discomfort index. The state weather bureau warned of heat cramps and heat exhaustion, as well as heat stroke from continuing activity, under that category.

Temperature in Tuguegarao City was expected at 39.5 degrees Celsius on Wednesday, 39.9 degrees on Thursday, 39.1 degrees on Friday, 38.9 degrees on Saturday, and 38.4 degrees on Sunday.

In Baguio City, the heat index was estimated to be 21.8 degrees Celsius on Wednesday, 22.6 degrees Celsius on Thursday, 23 degrees Celsius on Friday, 23.2 degrees Celsius on Saturday, and 22.6 degrees Celsius on Sunday.

The heat index refers to the “apparent” temperature or what humans perceive or feel as the temperature affecting their bodies.

Pagasa advised the public to stay indoors as much as possible, wear light clothing, eat small but regular meals, and drink plenty of water.

“Water is the safest liquid to drink during heat emergencies. Avoid drinking liquor because it dehydrates the body,” Pagasa said.

Pagasa also said eating too much protein-rich food can increase metabolic heat.