Southern Leyte town records 53°C heat index

MANILA – There are lesser orange (danger) and red (exteme danger) marks in the heat index chart of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) the past five days but the reading from Maasin, Southern Leyte spiked to 53 degrees Celsius on Saturday.

Maasin's actual temperature on Friday was only 32.6°C.

The danger category is between 42°C and 51°C while extreme danger starts at 52°C.

Guiuan, Eastern Samar still holds the highest heat index this year at 55°C, recorded on May 26 while Luzon was being battered by Typhoon Aghon.

Metro Manila's heat index was between 40°C and 43°C while Baguio City was the lone area below caution (27°C to 32°C) at 25°C.

The wet season has taken over the El Niño phenomenon but remnant effects are forecast to last within the month in some parts of the country.

"This June, dry spell is forecast in Bataan, Pangasinan, Tarlac, and Zambales, while drought is likely in Apayao and Cagayan," PAGASA chief Nathaniel Servando told the Philippine News Agency in a previous interview.

There is a 69 percent probability that La Niña would persist by July, August or September. (PNA)