(SPOT.ph) The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration 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 Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (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.
Main image from Morph / Wikimedia Commons; for illustrative purposes only
Hey, Spotters! Check us out on Viber to join our Community, download our cool Sticker Pack, and subscribe to our Chatbot.