Heat index to hit ‘danger’ level in six areas on April 12

Six Philippine areas are expected to endure dangerously high temperatures on Friday, weather bureau PAGASA said. 

The "danger" level of 44 degrees Celsius in Dagupan, Pangasinan and 43C in Bacnotan, La Union, PAGASA weather forecaster Ana Clauren-Jorda said.     

Puerto Princesa City and Aborlan in Palawan, Catarman in Northern Samar, and Cotabato City in Maguindanao are forecast to hit 42C. 

The country's heat index measures what a temperature feels like, taking humidity into account.

Under the “danger” level between 42 and 51 degrees Celsius, heat exhaustion and heat cramps are “likely”, while heat stroke is “probable with continued exposure”, PAGASA warned. 

Easterlies or warm winds from the Pacific are affecting the country, PAGASA’s Clauren-Jorda told TeleRadyo Serbisyo. 

Isolated rain showers may dampen parts of the eastern Philippines in the afternoon or evening, she said. 

The months of March, April and May are typically the hottest and driest in the archipelago nation, but conditions this year have been exacerbated by the El Niño weather phenomenon.