37 areas to experience 'dangerous' levels of heat on May 15

Residents in Metro Manila and 36 other areas must brace for possible dangerous levels of heat index on Wednesday, the state weather bureau PAGASA said Tuesday. 

The following areas may experience up to 47°C heat index on May 15: 

47°C

Dagupan City, Pangasinan

46°C

CBSUA-Pili, Camarines Sur 

Roxas City, Capiz

45°C

Bacnotan, La Union

Virac (Synop), Catanduanes

44°C

MMSU, Batac, Ilocos Norte

Aparri, Cagayan

Alabat, Quezon

Cuyo, Palawan

Masbate City, Masbate 

Dumangas, Iloilo 

Catarman, Northern Samar

Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Sur 

43°C

NAIA, Pasay City

Tuguegarao City, Cagayan 

ISU Echague, Isabela

Iba, Zambales

Sangley Point, Cavite 

Ambulong, Tanauan, Batangas

Coron, Palawan

San Jose, Occidental Mindoro

Puerto Princesa City, Palawan

Aborlan, Palawan

Iloilo City, Iloilo 

Catbalogan, Samar 

Butuan City, Agusan del Norte 

42°C

Science Garden, Quezon City

Sinait, Ilocos Sur 

Laoag City, Ilocos Norte

Cubi Pt., Subic Bay, Olongapo City 

Calapan, Oriental Mindoro 

Daet, Camarines Norte 

Legazpi City, Albay 

Mambusao, Capiz 

Guiuan, Eastern Samar 

Maasin, Southern Leyte 

Dipolog, Zamboanga del Norte

Meanwhile, Baguio City and La Trinidad in Benguet may experience cooler weather on Wednesday with a heat index of only 25°C, which is “not hazardous” according to PAGASA.

On Tuesday, there were 35 areas that experienced dangerous heat levels with the highest recorded in Dagupan City, Pangasinan at 49°C.

Heat index refers to the measure of the temperature that the body feels, which is different from the actual air temperature. It is computed by factoring in the humidity and the air temperature.

PAGASA warned that dangerous levels of heat index may cause heat cramps and heat exhaustion. Heat stroke is also probable with continued exposure to heat.

The Department of Health advised the public to limit time outdoors and to drink plenty of water instead of other drinks such as tea, coffee, soda, and liquor. Strenuous activities may be scheduled at the beginning or end of the day, when it is cooler.

PAGASA declared on March 22 the start of the dry season, which coincided with the El Niño phenomenon.

But the state weather bureau said that the country is already transitioning to the rainy season, which normally begins either in the last week of May or early June. —Vince Angelo Ferreras/VBL, GMA Integrated News