San Jose, Occidental Mindoro hits ‘danger’ heat index

The town of San Jose in Occidental Mindoro was the only area in the country to reach a “danger” level heat index on Thursday, March 26, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration.

Based on PAGASA’s highest computed five-day heat index as of 5 p.m., San Jose recorded a heat index of 42°C. It is also forecast to remain the lone area under the “danger” category on Friday, March 27, with the same heat index.

A heat index ranging from 42°C to 51°C falls under the “danger” level, while 52°C and above is classified as “extreme danger.”

Areas under extreme caution

Several areas across the country are expected to experience heat index levels between 33°C and 41°C (extreme caution) on Friday, including parts of Metro Manila, Northern Luzon, Central Luzon, Southern Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

Among these are:

National Capital Region (NCR)

• NAIA, Pasay City
• Science Garden, Quezon City

Ilocos Region (Region I)

• Sinait, Ilocos Sur
• Laoag City; MMSU, Batac (Ilocos Norte)
• Dagupan City (Pangasinan)
• Bacnotan (La Union)

Cagayan Valley (Region II)

• Calayan, Aparri, Tuguegarao City (Cagayan)
• NVSU Bayombong (Nueva Vizcaya)
• ISU Echague (Isabela)

Central Luzon (Region III)

• Iba (Zambales)
• Clark Airport (Pampanga)
• CLSU Muñoz (Nueva Ecija)
• Abucay (Bataan)
• Cubi Point, Subic Bay (Olongapo City)
• San Ildefonso (Bulacan)
• TAU Camiling; Hacienda Luisita (Tarlac)

CALABARZON (Region IV-A)

• Tayabas City, Alabat, Mulanay (Quezon)
• Sangley Point (Cavite City); CvSU-Indang (Cavite)
• Ambulong, Tanauan (Batangas)
• NAS-UPLB, Los Baños (Laguna)

MIMAROPA (Region IV-B)

• Calapan (Oriental Mindoro)
• San Jose (Occidental Mindoro)
• Coron, Puerto Princesa, Aborlan, Cuyo (Palawan)
• Romblon (Romblon)

Bicol Region (Region V)

• Daet (Camarines Norte)
• Legazpi City; BU-Guinobatan; BIA-Daraga (Albay)
• Virac (Catanduanes)
• Masbate City (Masbate)
• Juban (Sorsogon)
• CBSUA-Pili (Camarines Sur)

Western Visayas (Region VI)

• Roxas City; Mambusao (Capiz)
• Iloilo City; Dumangas (Iloilo)
• La Granja, La Carlota (Negros Occidental)

Central Visayas (Region VII)

• Dumaguete City (Negros Oriental)
• Siquijor (Siquijor)
• Panglao International Airport (Bohol)
• Mactan International Airport (Cebu)

Eastern Visayas (Region VIII)

• Catarman (Northern Samar)
• Catbalogan (Western Samar)
• Tacloban City; VSU-Baybay (Leyte)
• Borongan; Guiuan (Eastern Samar)
• Maasin (Southern Leyte)

Zamboanga Peninsula (Region IX)

• Dipolog (Zamboanga del Norte)
• Zamboanga City (Zamboanga del Sur)

Northern Mindanao (Region X)

• CMU Musuan (Bukidnon)

Davao Region (Region XI)

• Davao City (Davao del Sur)

SOCCSKSARGEN (Region XII)

• Cotabato City (Maguindanao)
• General Santos City (South Cotabato)

Caraga (Region XIII)

• Surigao City (Surigao del Norte)
• Hinatuan (Surigao del Sur)
• Butuan City (Agusan del Norte)

Areas expected to experience 27°C to 32°C (caution) include:

• Itbayat and Basco (Batanes)
• Tanay (Rizal), Infanta (Quezon)
• Laguindingan Airport (Misamis Oriental), Malaybalay (Bukidnon)

Meanwhile, cooler areas with heat index values below 27°C (not hazardous) include:

• Baguio City
• La Trinidad and Tuba (Benguet)

The heat index reflects how hot it feels to the human body by combining air temperature and relative humidity. High humidity slows sweat evaporation, making it harder for the body to cool down.

PAGASA earlier declared the end of the northeast monsoon, or amihan, signaling the start of the dry season.

It has also raised an El Niño Watch as part of preparations for potentially hotter conditions in the coming months.—MCG, GMA Integrated News