27 areas in PH log ‘dangerous’ heat index

Scorching heat continued to plague parts of the country on Tuesday, May 16, with heat index values reaching “dangerous” levels in 27 monitoring stations of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

The heat index is the measurement of how hot it feels when relative humidity is factored in with the actual air temperature.

Based on PAGASA’s data, stations with dangerous heat index levels recorded on Tuesday were Daet, Camarines Norte (47°C); Masbate City, Masbate (46°C); Borongan, Eastern Samar (45°C); Catarman, Northern Samar (45°C); Infanta, Quezon (45°C); Maasin, Southern Leyte (45°C); Roxas City, Capiz (45°C); Baler, Aurora (44°C); Calapan, Oriental Mindoro (44°C); Dipolog City, Zamboanga del Norte (44°C); Juban, Sorsogon (44°C); Tuguegarao City, Cagayan (44°C); Virac, Catanduanes (44°C); Ambulong, Tanauan, Batangas (43°C);

Aparri, Cagayan (43°C); Catbalogan, Western Samar (43°C); Central Bicol State University of Agriculture, Pili, Camarines Sur (43°C); Iloilo City, Iloilo (43°C); Laguindingan Airport, Misamis Oriental (43°C); Surigao City, Surigao del Norte (43°C); Tacloban City, Leyte (43°C); Coron, Palawan (42°C); Dagupan City, Pangasinan (42°C); Dauis, Bohol (42°C); Laoag City, Ilocos Norte (42°C); Tayabas City, Quezon (42°C); and Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Sur (42°C).

According to PAGASA, a heat index ranging from 42°C to 51°C indicates impending “danger,” as “heat cramps and heat exhaustion are likely,” and “heat stroke is probable with continued activity.”

PAGASA recorded the highest heat index in the country so far this year on May 12 in Legazpi City, Albay at 50°C.