Puerto Princesa City hit the nation’s highest heat index yesterday at 42°C, with Coron and Cotabato City close behind at 41°C. Similar heat is expected today.
“Kahapon ay naitala ang 35 to 36 degrees Celsius heat indices dito po sa Metro Manila at yung pinakamataas naman sa buong bansa ay naranasan sa Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, na umabot ng 42 degrees Celsius,” Rhea Torres, weather specialist from Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, reported Thursday.
Today’s maximum heat index of 42°C is predicted for the city, followed by Coron town, Palawan, and Cotabato City, Maguindanao, at 41°C.
The heat index in Metro Manila might rise to 36 to 37°C.
“Ngayong araw, ayon sa ating forecast for Metro Manila, ang heat index natin maaring umabot ng 36 hanggang 37 degrees Celsius at yung pinakamataas naman ngayong araw sa buong bansa ay possible pa rin maranasan sa Puerto Princesa City, Palawan na maaring umabot ng 42 degrees Celsius at sinusundan naman po yan ng 41 degrees Celsius sa Coron, Palawan, gayon din sa Cotabato City, Maguindanao,” she added.
On the other hand, parts of Palawan are expected to experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with chances of isolated thunderstorms, while the rest of MIMAROPA will see increased cloud cover and scattered rain showers because of the shear line affecting the region.
By lunchtime or afternoon, thunderstorms are quite likely to occur across the southern portion of Palawan, bringing with them the possibility of unexpected downpours and isolated floods in low-lying regions.
PAGASA urges that local authorities and residents exercise caution in light of the potential risks connected with these weather conditions.
Clouds and light rain will also be present on the other MIMAROPA islands, such as Romblon, Marinduque, Occidental Mindoro, and Oriental Mindoro. PAGASA issues a warning that some regions are particularly susceptible to flash floods and landslides in the event of moderate to heavy rainfall.
In Luzon, the northeast monsoon, also known as the “amihan,” continues to bring chilly breezes and mild rainfall on occasion to the eastern parts of the island, such as the Cagayan Valley, Aurora province, and Quezon province.
Due to the ongoing impacts of the shear line, the Bicol Region and some regions of the Visayas, notably the eastern sections, are at a greater risk of seeing heavy precipitation.
The majority of Mindanao may expect partly cloudy to overcast skies, with the possibility of scattered thunderstorms in Sulu, Basilan, Zamboanga Peninsula, and Tawi-Tawi. It is also predicted that there will be scattered showers in the northeastern half, which includes the Caraga area.
Torres said that with waves as high as 4.5 meters, PAGASA has issued a gale warning for the seas near Ilocos Norte, as well as the northern and eastern shores of Catanduanes, Albay, Sorsogon, and Northern Samar.
Fishermen and anyone with tiny boats are recommended to stay out of these seas because of the hazardous sea conditions.
