It’s going to be a hot hump day Wednesday in the Philippines with Dagupan City, Ambulong , Tanauan in Batangas; Puerto Princesa and Aborlan in Palawan all forecast to experience 44-degree Celsius weather on the heat index.

PAGASA’s highest heat index forecast showed 6 areas experiencing 43-degree Celsius weather on the index: Bacnotan, La Union; Sangley Point, Cavite; CBSUA-Pili, Camarines Sur; Iloilo City and Dumangas, Iloilo, and Catarman, Northern Samar.

Other areas that will experience 42-degree Celsius heat index are: Aparri and Tuguegarao City in Cagayan, ISU Echague in Isabela; Cubi Pt in Subic Bay, Olongapo City; San Jose, Occidental Mindoro; Virac (Synop), Catanduanes; and Tacloban City in Leyte.

NAIA-Pasay City in Metro Manila is forecast to experience 41-degree Celsius heat index while the Science Garden in Quezon City is forecast to experience 40-degree Celsius on the index.

“Mainit pa rin ang panahon sa buong bansa dahil sa tag-init at dahil sa El Nino,” PAGASA weather forecaster Aldczar Aurelio said in a TeleRadyo Serbisyo interview. He advised the public to cool down and avoid going out during the hottest parts of the day to prevent heat stroke, heat exhaustion or dehydration.

The trough of a low pressure area is affecting the southeastern section of Mindanao, with the ridge of a High Pressure Area (HPA) extending over the eastern sections of Northern and Central Luzon.

Davao Region and SOCCSKSARGEN will experience cloudy skies with scattered rainshowers and thunderstorm due to the trough of the LPA.