Cotabato City logs ‘danger level’ heat index of 45°C on April 14

Cotabato City recorded a “danger level” heat index of between 42°C to 51°C, on April 14, the state weather bureau said. 

Based on PAGASA’s five-day computed heat index, the heat index in Cotabato City on Tuesday was 45°C. It is the only place in the Philippines to have logged a “danger level” heat index that day.

Cotabato City’s danger level heat index was at 42°C on Sunday, April 12 and 46°C on Monday, April 13.

It is also the only place in the country that is forecast to experience a danger level heat index of 45°C on Wednesday, April 15.

Heat index is defined as how hot it actually feels to the human body by combining air temperature and relative humidity. High humidity slows the evaporation of sweat, making it more difficult for the body to cool itself. 

PAGASA noted that there were over 70 areas that experienced an “extreme caution level” heat index of between 33°C to 41°C last Monday.

On the other hand, Tanay, Rizal is the only area to experience a “caution level” heat index of 31°C.

Meanwhile, the following areas experienced a “not hazardous” heat index of less than 27 °C: 

• Baguio City, Benguet: 25°C
• BSU, La Trinidad, Benguet: 23°C
• Benguet Radar, Tuba, Benguet: 20°C

— JMA, GMA News