Filipinos would have to bear with the awfully hot weather over the next two days, as the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said 36 areas nationwide remain at risk of experiencing dangerous levels of heat.
Latest forecast of the state weather bureau showed that Iba, Zambales exceeded the threshold on Sunday, when it registered 53 degrees Celsius in the Climate Heat Index. PAGASA placed it in the red zone, indicating ‘extreme danger.’
“Values beyond the 53°C Heat Index are estimates, which might already be unrealistic. Such values should therefore not be interpreted in terms of their absolute magnitudes, but rather on the health risks they pose on us,” PAGASA said in its five-day computed and two-day forecast as of 5PM, April 28.
Six locations are projected to hit temperatures between 45°C to 47°C on Monday, including Laoag City, Ilocos Norte; Dagupan City, Pangasinan; Bacnotan, La Union; Aparri and Tuguegarao City, Cagayan; ISU Echague, Isabela; and Baler (Radar), Aurora.
Metro Manila and other areas in the orange zone were forecast to have a 42°C to 44°C degree weather. The heat index measures what a temperature feels like, taking into account humidity, according to PAGASA.
Extreme heat has scorched Southeast Asia in recent days, prompting thousands of schools to suspend in-person classes and authorities to issue health warnings. State meteorologists said the unusually hot weather would last until the middle of May.