Metro Manila sizzles at 36.3 degrees Celsius on Tuesday

TUESDAY was the hottest day of the year in Metro Manila with a scorching 36.3 degrees Celsius, the state weather bureau said.

The maximum temperature was recorded at 3 p.m., the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said, surpassing the 35.7 degrees Celsius record on Friday.

Benison Estareja, Pagasa weather specialist, said that temperatures could go warmer in the coming days as the dry season is at its peak in April.

Nationwide, the highest temperature for 2016 was recorded in General Santos City at 38.6 degrees Celsius.

The hottest temperature in Metro Manila was recorded at 38.5 degrees Celsius on May 14, 1987. The capital city of Cagayan holds the country’s record highest temperature of 42.2 degrees logged on May 11, 1969.

Meanwhile, temperature actually felt by the body or heat index, reached dangerous levels in Nueva Ecija on Monday.

Cabanatuan City recorded a heat index of 51 degrees Celsius, Pagasa said.

This was the highest heat index recorded by Pagasa since April 2 in Occidental Mindoro with 49.4 degrees Celsius.

Pagasa defines heat index as human discomfort index that gives the apparent temperature or what human perceives as the temperature affecting their body.

High air temperatures and high relative humidity will give high apparent temperatures or indices. Full exposure to sunshine can increase the heat index by 9 degrees Celsius, Pagasa said.

In Metro Manila, a heat index of 37.5 degrees Celsius was registered on Monday.