The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on May 1 warned that higher temperatures may be recorded this month. "We could experience the hottest or maximum temperature," said Ana Liza Solis, chief of the the agency's climate monitoring and prediction section, in a report on Philstar.com. And she definitely wasn't joking.
Today, May 6, the recorded temperature at the Science Garden in Quezon City is at 37°C as of 2:05 p.m. While that looks average, it gets worse when you consider the afternoon's relative humidity at 46%. This means that heat index is at 44°C (a.k.a. danger zone). Temperature's even higher in Dagupan City, Pangasinan, which logged a heat index of 51°C at 2 p.m.—the highest in the country for 2020 so far.
Heat index, according to PAGASA, is the "human discomfort index that gives the apparent temperature or what human perceive or feel as the temperature affecting their body." High air temperature and high humidity give high apparent temperature or high heat index. So if you've been swearing a lot today because of the heat, we totally get you.
A heat index between 41°C and 54°C is likely to cause heat cramps and heat exhaustion—and even probable heatstroke with continued activity, says PAGASA in an Inquirer report. If it goes over 54°C (extreme danger), heat stroke is already imminent. Best to stay indoors, wear lightweight and light-colored clothing, and drink plenty of water as we try to survive this very hot day.
*This story originally appeared on Spot.ph. Minor edits have been made by the Preview.ph editors.
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