CENTRAL Visayas will brace for the Holy Week with heat indices from extreme caution to danger category, ranging from 38 to 42 degrees Celsius, according to the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) Visayas.
Heat index refers to the temperature felt by the human body when relative humidity combines with air temperature.
“For Central Visayas, temperatures range from 38 to 42 degrees Celsius. The region has reached 42 degrees Celsius over the past five days, which falls within the lowest danger level,” said Joseph Merlas, a weather specialist at Pagasa Visayas, on Sunday, April 13, 2025.
Heat temperatures in Metro Cebu will range from 26 to 33 degrees Celsius, he added.
Air temperature
According to Pagasa’s website, the air temperature from 30 to 37 degrees falls under the caution heat index. Humans feel this temperature as 27 to 32 degrees Celsius.
Under extreme caution, the heat index felt by the human body is at 33 to 41 degrees Celsius with an air temperature at 38 to 48 degree Celsius.
The danger heat index is at 42 to 51 degrees Celsius with an air temperature of 49 to 50 degrees Celsius.
Under extreme danger, the heat index is at 52 degrees Celsius and beyond.
Heat index
For Cebu, Pagasa Visayas recorded the highest range of heat index of up to 40 degree Celsius last April 8, with heat temperature at 32.3 degrees Celsius.
In their station in Bohol, Pagasa Visayas recorded a heat index of 42 degrees Celsius on April 7, 8 and 9.
Merlas said Pagasa Visayas operates only one station each in Cebu and Bohol. Several factors affect the heat index, including geographical location. He warned the public to limit outdoor exposure between 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. when the peak of the
heat occurs. He also advised everyone to wear light-colored clothing and stay hydrated. (CDF)