Heat reaches 'dangerous' levels in 27 areas – PAGASA
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 16) — Scorching temperatures hit several parts of the country on Tuesday, with the heat index hitting "dangerous" levels in 27 monitoring areas of the state weather bureau.
The heat index is defined as the temperature that the human body feels when relative humidity is combined with the actual air temperature.
The following areas logged heat index levels that the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) classifies as dangerous:
Ambulong, Tanauan, Batangas, 43°C; Aparri, Cagayan, 43°C; Baler, Aurora, 44°C; Borongan, Eastern Samar, 45°C; Calapan, Oriental Mindoro, 44°C; Catarman, Northern Samar, 45°C; Catbalogan, Western Samar, 43°C; Pili, Camarines Sur, 43°C; Coron, Palawan, 42°C; Dagupan City, Pangasinan, 42°C; Dauis, Bohol, 42°C; Dipolog, Zamboanga Del Norte, 44°C; Iloilo City, Iloilo, 43°C; Infanta, Quezon, 45°C; Juban, Sorsogon, 44°C; Laguindingan, Misamis Oriental, 43°C; Laoag City, Ilocos Norte, 42°C; Maasin, Southern Leyte, 45°C; Roxas City, Capiz, 45°C; Surigao City, Surigao Del Norte, 43°C; Tacloban City, Leyte, 43°C; Tayabas City, Quezon, 42°C; Tuguegarao City, Cagayan, 44°C; Virac, Catanduanes, 44°C; Zamboanga City, Zamboanga Del Sur, 42°C.
Daet in Camarines Norte registered Tuesday's highest computed heat index at 47°C, followed by Masbate City in Masbate at 46°C.
The country's highest heat index so far this year was recorded on May 12 in Legazpi City, Albay at 50°C.
Temperatures between 42°C and 51°C are deemed dangerous on PAGASA's Heat Index scale. According to the agency, the body can experience heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and possibly even heat stroke at this level of heat.
