Too hot? Dry season has not even peaked yet, says PAGASA

MANILA — Temperatures could keep rising as the dry season has yet to peak, the state weather bureau said Wednesday.

The dry season typically peaks in the first to second week of May, noted PAGASA weather forecaster Lorie Dela Cruz.

On Wednesday, the heat index —  a measure of air temperature and relative humidity — could reach 40 degrees Celsius in Metro Manila, Dela Cruz said.

“Nasa extreme caution level po ito, so ibig sabihin, possible pa rin ang heat exhaustion at heat stress ‘pag tumagal ang ating exposure sa ganitong klaseng init,” she told TeleRadyo Serbisyo.

PAGASA warned the heat index could reach "danger" level of 42 to 51 degrees Celsius in the following areas. 

• Dagupan, Pangasinan
• Echague, Isabela
• Iba, Zambales
• Olongapo City
• San Ildefonso, Bulacan,
• Camiling, Tarlac 
• Cavite City 
• Cuyo, Palawan
• Virac, Catanduanes 
• Roxas City, Capiz 
• Iloilo City
• Panglao, Bohol 
• Catarman, Northern Samar
• Dipolog, Zamboanga Del Norte 
• Musuan, Bukidnon 
• Butuan City, Agusan Del Norte

Under the “danger” level, prolonged heat exposure could lead to heat stroke, Dela Cruz noted.

“Iwasan muna ang direct exposure sa sunlight, lalong-lalo na sa katanghalian o late afternoon at kung maaari po, stay hydrated,” she said.