The country can expect heat indexes of as high as 44 degrees Celsius in some parts of Luzon as it deals with a heat wave owing to the advent of El Nino and cloudless skies for the next few days, state weather forecasters said Wednesday.
Filipinos had been looking for more information lately on how high the mercury would hit their homes, but the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) had actually suspended issuing its daily heat index information starting last June 2, 2023 with the official declaration of the onset – ironically — of the rainy season, the Standard learned.
“During this period, it is important to focus on providing accurate and timely information related to hazards and potential impacts associated with the rainy season,” the weather bureau explained in suspending its heat index reports, which it said will resume on March 1, 2024.
That date coincides with the hot and dry months in many parts of the country, PAGASA said, as it advised the public to stay informed “through official announcements from the relevant local authorities” on warnings related to extremely hot weather.
Meanwhile, weather forecasts pegged the heat index — what the temperature feels like to the human body when relative humidity is combined with the air temperature – for Thursday at 44 degrees in Dagupan, Tarlac, Cabanatuan, and Tuguegarao, and 43 degrees in Metro Manila.
“A high-pressure area is currently affecting northern Luzon. This will cause warm weather across the island,” PAGASA forecaster Obet Badrina said.
The actual temperature in Tuguegarao could reach up to 36°C, and in Metro Manila and Kalayaan Islands, up to 34°C, he added.
Badrina said no low-pressure area was seen to affect the country and there is only a slim chance for a tropical cyclone to develop until the weekend. Rio N. Araja