The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said yesterday that there is a strong chance that the heat index in the country will range from 42 to 44 degrees Celsius up to May.

 PAGASA Impact Assessment and Applications Section (IAAS) chief Thelma Cinco also warned that the high heat index may inflict heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke on some individuals, citing that the elderly and sick children are more prone to these.

The temperature in Metro Manila reached 36.4 degrees Celsius on Thursday, thehighest so far this year which was recorded at the Science Garden in Quezon City at 1:50 p.m., Thursday.

weather forecaster Samuel Duran said the latest reading surpassed the previous high of 36.3 degrees Celsius that was recorded on Tuesday. He noted the heat index in Metro Manila was recorded at 43.2 degrees Celsius, but so far the highest heat index recorded this year was 52 degrees Celsius in Cabanatuan City in Nueva Ecija on Wednesday.

The heat index is the human discomfort index that gives the “apparent” temperature or what humans perceive or feel as the temperature affecting their body. High air temperatures and high relative humidity will give high apparent temperatures or indices. Full exposure to sunshine can increase the heat index by nine degrees Celsius. Based on the PAGASA’s climatological record, the hottest temperature in Metro Manila was recorded on May 14, 1987 at 38.5 degrees Celsius.

But so far, the hottest temperature in the country for this year was recorded in General Santos City at 39.3 degrees Celsius on April 12, followed by Tuguegarao City at 38 degrees Celsius last April 8 for Luzon, and Catbalogan in Visayas at 35.3 degrees Celsius last April 8. The hottest temperature ever recorded in the country was in Tuguegarao, Cagayan at 42.2 degrees Celsius on May 11, 1969.

 Duran said that due to easterlies or warm winds from the east affecting the Visayas and Mindanao and the of ridge of high pressure area (HPA) affecting Luzon, both weather systems will bring high temperatures and good weather conditions to the country in the coming days. Earlier, PAGASA weather forecaster Aldczar Aurelio said residents of places directly affected by the heat of the sun, particularly those without trees and are surrounded by concrete roads would be hotter. He said that other parts of Luzon including Metro Manila may experience hotter days due to a ridge of high-pressure area (HPA) which will be the dominant weather system in the country resulting in more humid weather.

 HPA is the opposite of the low-pressure area – a weather system consisting of warm air circulating over the Pacific Ocean. He also credited the hot temperatures to the penetration of the direct heat of the sunlight into the earth’s surface, and cloudless sky in the past days. He advised the public to avoid heat exhaustion by staying indoors as much as possible from 10:00 a.m.  to 4:00 p.m. Aurelio said people should wear clothing made of light materials with light colors, stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water, and avoid eating food high in protein as this can increase body heat.

Source:
courtesy of MANILA BULLETIN

by Chito A. Chavez

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