Puerto Princesa City residents should prepare for warm and humid conditions today, March 9, as the heat index is expected to reach 41°C, the state weather agency reported.
Obet Badrina, weather specialist from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), said that with high humidity levels, temperatures may feel hotter than the actual readings, making it important to stay hydrated and take precautions against heat-related illnesses.
“Ang heat index, ito yung pinagsamang temperatura at yung moisture o halumigmig sa hangin. Dahil dito, pwedeng mas mataas kesa sa actual na temperature ang ating mararamdaman,” he explained.
“Mag-ingat sa mga kababayan natin, lalo na sa bandang tanghali, dahil dito natin nararanasan ang pinakamataas na heat index,” he added.
He stated that along with San Jose in Occidental Mindoro, Virac in Catanduanes, and Iloilo City, the city is predicted to have one of the nation’s highest heat indices today, with temperatures reaching 41°C.
At 42°C yesterday, Cuyo, Palawan, recorded the highest heat index in the country.
Despite the extreme heat, some relief may come in the form of rain showers, as localized thunderstorms are expected due to moisture-laden easterlies. However, temperatures will still range between 25°C to 31°C, with high humidity making it feel much hotter.
Meanwhile, Badrina said the weather will be somewhat different in other regions of the country. The Bicol Region, Aurora, Quezon, and portions of the Cordillera Administrative Region are expected to see heavy rains and overcast skies due to the shear line.
Ilocos Norte, Batanes, and the Babuyan Islands are still being impacted by the northeast monsoon, which is resulting in minor rainstorms here and there.
Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon can expect sporadic thunderstorms due to localized weather patterns.
“Sa iba pang bahagi ng ating bansa, kabilang ang Metro Manila, Visayas, at Mindanao, posible pa rin ang mga pulung-pulong pag-ulan, pagkidlat, at pagkulog,” Badrina said.
It is anticipated that there will be cloudy sky with sporadic rain showers over Mindanao, particularly in the southwest and southern regions of the island.
Cebu, Iloilo, and Tacloban are forecasting partly overcast to cloudy skies throughout the day in the Visayas area, which is expected to have drier weather than the rest of the Philippines.
Throughout the Philippines Area of Responsibility (PAR), PAGASA has not detected any low-pressure areas or possible typhoons so far this week.
“Sa ngayon, wala tayong mino-monitor na anumang low-pressure area. Maliit ang tsansa na magkaroon tayo ng bagyo sa linggong ito,” Badrina confirmed.
Small sea boats in Northern and Central Luzon should exercise caution due to the northeast monsoon, which may still produce moderate to sometimes strong waves, even if storms are not expected.
