The southwest monsoon or “habagat” will continue to bring rains over Luzon, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
In its latest bulletin, the weather bureau said Ilocos Region, Batanes, Babuyan Islands, as well as the provinces of Zambales and Bataan will experience heavy rains due to the southwest monsoon. Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon will have cloudy skies with scattered rains and thunderstorms.
Visayas and Mindanao will have partly cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms. Extreme northern Luzon will have moderate to strong winds and moderate to rough seas, while the rest of the country will experience light to moderate winds with slight to moderate seas.
With the start of the southwest monsoon, Daniel James Villamil of PAGASA said fewer areas in Luzon will experience danger-level heat index. The highest 43°C heat index, it said, is expected in Tuguegarao City, Cagayan; ISU Echague, Isabela; Infanta, Quezon; and Virac, Catanduanes.
A 42°C heat index is forecast in Aparri, Cagayan; Alabat, Quezon; Calapan, Oriental Mindoro; Coron, Palawan; Cuyo, Palawan; Legazpi City, Albay; and Masbate City, Masbate.
Meanwhile, the highest heat index could peak at 44°C in Mindanao, particularly Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur and Dipolog, Zamboanga Del Norte.
A 43°C heat index will also be experienced in Butuan City, Agusan del Norte; Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Sur; and Guiuan, Eastern Samar.
The remaining areas in Visayas and Mindanao forecast to have a 42°C heat index are Roxas City and Mambusao in Capiz province; Iloilo City and Dumangas in Iloilo; the island province of Siquijor; Catbalogan, Western Samar; Guluan, Eastern Samar; Maasin, Southern Leyte; and CMU Agromet, Musuan in Bukidnon province.
Heat index refers to the temperature felt by the human body when relative humidity is factored in with actual air temperature. Prolonged exposure under “danger” level heat index conditions, ranging from 42°C to 51°C, could result in heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke. (PNA)