Cebu hits high temp for April

The highest temperature in Cebu so far this year was recorded early yesterday afternoon, according to the state weather bureau.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) recorded a scorching temperature of 33.6 degrees Celsius at 1:52 p.m. yesterday.

This was the highest temperature so far since the onset of the dry season on April 10.

“Yes, we have recorded already several (air) temperatures higher than the average. Today (April 22) is the highest so far this year,” PAGASA Cebu officer-in-charge Alfredo Quiblat, Jr. told The FREEMAN.

It also recorded a heat index of 40 degrees Celsius. The normal body temperature only ranges from 36.5 to 37.5 degrees Celsius.

Heat index is what temperature feels to the human body when humidity is combined with air temperature.

Quiblat said the temperature exceeded the average heat intensity for April, which is the driest month for the year, at 32.1 degrees Celsius.

Based on the historical record of PAGASA local station, the highest maximum temperature recorded in Cebu within a 40-year period was 35 degrees Celsius on April 15, 1992.

According to PAGASA's daily monitoring, April 10 registered 32.4 degrees Celsius; April 13 had 32.2; April 14 had 32.6; April 17 had 32.5; April 18 had 32.6; and April 21 had 32.3.

Quiblat considered these extreme heat events as “alarming” as they can be harmful to the living beings.

He said people living in urban areas may even experience worse heat intensities as compared to those in rural communities.

He said the heat island effect or the presence of buildings and structures contributes to the high temperature being felt.

High temperatures are expected this dry hot season because of the dominant easterly winds from the Pacific which brings warm and moist air to the country.