Metro Manila heat could hit 40˚C over the weekend

 

MANILA, Philippines – If the heat in the past days already felt unbearable,  Metro Manila residents should brace for an even hotter weekend as state weather bureau PAGASA warned that “apparent” temperatures could rise up to 40˚C.

PAGASA on Friday morning, May 22, released its 5-day heat index for 13 areas.

The heat index, according to PAGASA, refers to the “apparent” temperature or what humans perceive or feel as the temperature affecting their body. A high index is a result of high air temperatures and high relative humidity.

EFFECTS OF HEAT INDEX IN OUR BODY
T in Celsius	T in Farenheit	Heat Index (Human Discomfort Index)
27–32°C	80-90°F	Caution Fatigue is possible with prolonged exposure and activity. Continuing activity could result to heat cramps.
32–41°C	90–105°F	Extreme Caution Heat cramps and heat exhaustion are possible. Continuing activity could result to heat stroke.
41–54°C	105-130°F	Danger Heat cramps and heat exhaustion are likely; Heat stroke is probable with continued activity.
Over 54°C	Over 130°F	Extreme Danger Heat stroke is imminent.

Metro Manila could experience a heat index of up to 40.2˚C on Friday, 40.1˚C on Saturday, May 23, and 39.2˚C on Sunday, May 24.

At least for the next 5 days, the forecast shows Tuguegarao City could experience the highest heat index in the country at 40.8˚C on Saturday.

Heat Index	FRIDAY, MAY 22
CITIES	Minimum	Maximum
Metro Manila	30.6˚C	40.2˚C
Tuguegarao City	27.9˚C	40.6˚C
Laoag City	30.5˚C	39.1˚C
Baguio City	16.1˚C	24.6˚C
SBMA	26.6˚C	33.8˚C
Legaspi City	30.9˚C	38.3˚C
Puerto Princesa City	29.6˚C	39.4˚C
Iloilo/Bacolod City	30.5˚C	39.1˚C
Metro Cebu	32.2˚C	39.6˚C
Tacloban City	31.1˚C	37.0˚C
Cagayan De Oro City	26.8˚C	36.3˚C
Metro Davao	29.4˚C	37.4˚C
Zamboanga City	29.3˚C	38.6˚C

Heat Index	SATURDAY, MAY 23
CITIES	Minimum	Maximum
Metro Manila	29.8˚C	40.1˚C
Tuguegarao City	27.8˚C	40.8˚C
Laoag City	29.5˚C	38.2˚C
Baguio City	15.6˚C	25.2˚C
SBMA	27.4˚C	35.5˚C
Legaspi City	30.8˚C	38.0˚C
Puerto Princesa City	29.5˚C	39.1˚C
Iloilo/Bacolod City	30.4˚C	38.7˚C
Metro Cebu	31.6˚C	39.4˚C
Tacloban City	30.2˚C	37.4˚C
Cagayan De Oro City	26.7˚C	36.5˚C
Metro Davao	29.0˚C	36.6˚C
Zamboanga City	28.9˚C	39.2˚C

Heat Index	SUNDAY, MAY 24
CITIES	Minimum	Maximum
Metro Manila	29.6˚C	39.2˚C
Tuguegarao City	28.3˚C	40.6˚C
Laoag City	29.4˚C	38.1˚C
Baguio City	15.2˚C	23.8˚C
SBMA	24.5˚C	31.5˚C
Legaspi City	30.2˚C	38.8˚C
Puerto Princesa City	29.4˚C	38.4˚C
Iloilo/Bacolod City	30.9˚C	38.2˚C
Metro Cebu	30.6˚C	38.0˚C
Tacloban City	30.0˚C	36.4˚C
Cagayan De Oro City	26.5˚C	36.1˚C
Metro Davao	28.8˚C	36.9˚C
Zamboanga City	29.1˚C	37.9˚C

Heat Index	MONDAY, MAY 25
CITIES	Minimum	Maximum
Metro Manila	29.4˚C	39.1˚C
Tuguegarao City	28.1˚C	39.1˚C
Laoag City	29.1˚C	38.1˚C
Baguio City	15.4˚C	23.9˚C
SBMA	25.3˚C	31.7˚C
Legaspi City	30.1˚C	38.0˚C
Puerto Princesa City	29.4˚C	38.6˚C
Iloilo/Bacolod City	29.9˚C	38.0˚C
Metro Cebu	30.8˚C	39.1˚C
Tacloban City	29.7˚C	37.2˚C
Cagayan De Oro City	27.0˚C	37.0˚C
Metro Davao	29.3˚C	37.8˚C
Zamboanga City	29.1˚C	38.3˚C

Heat Index	TUESDAY, MAY 26
CITIES	Minimum	Maximum
Metro Manila	29.0˚C	38.9˚C
Tuguegarao City	28.4˚C	39.9˚C
Laoag City	30.0˚C	37.4˚C
Baguio City	15.8˚C	24.2˚C
SBMA	24.3˚C	30.4˚C
Legaspi City	30.4˚C	38.2˚C
Puerto Princesa City	29.4˚C	38.1˚C
Iloilo/Bacolod City	30.0˚C	38.0˚C
Metro Cebu	31.0˚C	39.2˚C
Tacloban City	29.8˚C	37.5˚C
Cagayan De Oro City	28.0˚C	37.3˚C
Metro Davao	29.8˚C	37.8˚C
Zamboanga City	29.0˚C	38.5˚C

How can Filipinos beat the heat? PAGASA gave the following tips:

1. Stay indoors as much as possible, if air conditioning is not available, stay on the lowest floor out, of the sunshine.
2. Wear lightweight and light colored clothing. Light colors will reflect the sun’s energy.
3. Drink plenty of water regularly. The body needs water to keep cool.
4. Water is the safest liquid to drink during heat emergencies. Avoid drinking liquor because it dehydrates the body.
5. Eat small meals; however, eat more often. Avoid eating food high in protein which can increase metabolic heat.

Do you have other ways to keep it cool this summer? Tell us in the comments section below. – Jee Y. Geronimo/Rappler.com

Thermal image of person via Shutterstock