Dangerous heat index seen in Dagupan, Pangasinan on Ash Wednesday

Dagupan City in Pangasinan may experience a 42 degrees Celsius heat index on Wednesday, which is considered in the danger level, state weather bureau PAGASA said.

Based on PAGASA’s forecast, a scorching 42°C heat index in Dagupan may also be felt on Tuesday, March 4.

Heat index is the measure of the temperature that a person feels that is apart from the actual air temperature. A heat index ranging from 42-51°C is considered under PAGASA’s “danger” effect-based classification.

Meanwhile, the following areas may have 33-41°C heat index under the “extreme caution” level on Ash Wednesday:

• NAIA in Pasay City (40°C)
• Science Garden in Quezon City (39°C)
• Sinait, Ilocos Sur (37°C)
• Laoag City, Ilocos Norte (39°C)
• MMSU in Batac, Ilocos Norte (39°C)
• Bacnotan, La Union (39°C)
• Calayan, Cagayan (35°C)
• Aparri, Cagayan (38°C)
• Tuguegarao City, Cagayan (39°C)
• NVSU in Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya (36°C)
• ISU in Echague, Isabela (40°C)
• Baler, Aurora (35°C)
• Casiguran, Aurora (35°C)
• Iba, Zambales (41°C)
• Clark Airport, Pampanga (39°C)
• CLSU in Muñoz, Nueva Ecija (38°C)
• Abucay, Bataan (37°C)
• Cubi Pt. in Subic Bay, Olongapo City (41°C)
• San Ildelfonso, Bulacan (39°C)
• Tayabas City, Quezon (35°C)
• Sangley Point, Cavite (40°C)
• Ambulong in Tanauan, Batangas (39°C)
• Infanta, Quezon (37°C)
• Alabat, Quezon (37°C)
• Mulanay, Quezon (36°C)
• Calapan, Oriental Mindoro (41°C)
• Coron, Palawan (36°C)
• San Jose, Occidental Mindoro (37°C)
• Puerto Princesa City, Palawan (39°C)
• Cuyo, Palawan (39°C)
• Daet, Camarines Norte (37°C)
• Legazpi City, Albay (33°C)
• Virac, Catanduanes (34°C)
• Masbate City, Masbate (38°C)
• CBSUA in Pili, Camarines Sur (33°C)
• Roxas City, Capiz (36°C)
• Iloilo City, Iloilo (39°C)
• Dumangas, Iloilo (36°C)
• Dumageute City, Negros Oriental (38°C)
• Siquijor, Siquijor (36°C)
• Panglao International Airport, Bohol (34°C)
• Mactan International Airport, Cebu (35°C)
• Catarman, Northern Samar (33°C)
• Catbalogan, Western Samar (34°C)
• Tacloban City, Leyte (34°C)
• Borongan, Eastern Samar (37°C)
• Guiuan, Eastern Samar (34°C)
• Maasin, Southern Leyte (37°C)
• Dipolog, Zamboanga del Norte (38°C)
• Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Sur (36°C)
• Laguindingan Airport, Misamis Oriental (36°C)
• Malaybalay, Bukidnon (34°C)
• CMU Agromet in Musuan, Bukidnon (36°C)
• Davao City, Daval del Sur (38°C)
• Cotabato City, Maguindanao (41°C)
• General Santos City, South Cotabato (38°C)
• Surigao City, Surigao del Norte (33°C)
• Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur (35°C)
• Butuan City, Agusan del Norte (38°C)

PAGASA said that the extreme temperatures hitting the country this time of year are fairly normal as the country starts to transition from rainy to dry season.

The Department of Health, meanwhile, reminded the public against heat-related illnesses such as heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke, that become more prevalent during the dry season.

Should anyone experience any symptoms of heat-related illnesses, the DOH advised the public to follow these first aid measures:

• Transfer the person to a cooler or shady area and adjust the ventilation;
• Remove clothes that could add up to body heat;
• Apply cold compress, ice pack, cold water, or a cold wet cloth to the skin, especially on the head, face, neck, armpits, wrists, ankles, and groin;
• Contact emergency services or take the person to hospital immediately.
• If the patient is conscious, let him/her have frequent but slow sips of cold water.

— RSJ, GMA Integrated News