Sizzling Friday: Heat index may exceed 40°C, Pagasa warns

MANILA, Philippines – The heat index in several parts of the country may hit 40°C and above on Friday, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).

“Sa tanghali, asahan ‘yung pinakamatataas po na temperatura natin ay nasa around 34-35°C sa ilang lugar, ‘yung ating tinatawag na air temperature. But yung heat index na tinatawag— o yung nararamdaman init ng ating katawan— ay posible pa ring umabot sa higit 40°C,” said Pagasa weather specialist Benison Estareja.

(At midday, expect highest air temperatures at 34-35°C in several areas. But the heat index— or the heat felt by our bodies— may possibly exceed 40°C.)

Estareja said that soaring heat index, due to the easterlies of warm wind blowing from the Pacific Ocean, may affect Dagupan City, Cabanatuan City, Metro Manila, Puerto Princesa, San Jose in Occidental Mindoro, Masbate City, and Legazpi City.

Slightly cloudy to cloudy skies and isolated rain showers are expected in the Visayas, but Estareja reported temperature spikes for Roxas City, Mactan City, and Catarman in Northern Samar.

In Mindanao, a heat index of 40°C and above is possible in Zamboanga del Norte, Butuan City in Agusan del Norte, General Santos City, Cotabato City, and Davao City.

Rain showers are expected as early as Friday morning in the Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, and parts of the Bangsamoro region.

Pagasa also predicts rain for large parts of Visayas and Mindanao this weekend.

Estareja attributed this to the possible formation of a low pressure area inside an approaching Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), or the collision of winds from the northern and southern hemispheres. 

Forecast temperature range in key cities / areas on Friday:

• Luzon
  • Metro Manila: 24 to 35 degrees Celsius
  • Baguio City: 17 to 26 degrees Celsius
  • Laoag City:  24 to 34 degrees Celsius
  • Tuguegarao: 25 to 35 degrees Celsius
  • Legazpi City: 26 to 32 degrees Celsius
  • Puerto Princesa City: 27 to 34 degrees Celsius
  • Tagaytay: 23 to 31 degrees Celsius
  • Kalayaan Islands: 28 to 35 degrees Celsius
• Visayas
  • Iloilo City: 28 to 33 degrees Celsius
  • Cebu: 27 to 33 degrees Celsius
  • Tacloban City: 26 to 32 degrees Celsius
• Mindanao
  • Cagayan De Oro City: 26 to 33 degrees Celsius
  • Zamboanga City: 25 to 33 degrees Celsius
  • Davao City: 25 to 34 degrees Celsius
    

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