Shear line, easterlies to bring rain showers over parts of PH

A shear line affecting the eastern sections of Northern and Central Luzon and the easterlies affecting the rest of the country will bring rain showers on Saturday, PAGASA said.

Isabela and Aurora will have cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms due to the shear line, which is the line where northeasterly wind flow and easterlies meet. Moderate to at times heavy rains may possibly result in flash floods or landslides.

Metro Manila and the rest of the country meanwhile may expect partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms due to the easterlies or the warm winds from the Pacific Ocean. During severe thunderstorms, flash floods or landslides may possibly occur.

Coastal waters will be slight to moderate.

Sunrise was at 5:30 a.m. while sunset will be at 6:16 p.m.

Heat index

Meanwhile, the heat index in 27 areas is expected to reach the "danger" level on Saturday, PAGASA said.

According to PAGASA's heat index forecast as of 5 p.m. Friday, the following areas will have heat indexes between 42°C and 46°C.

42°C:

• NAIA, Pasay City
• Sinait, Ilocos Sur
• MMSU, Batac, Ilocos Norte
• Iba, Zambales
• Cubi Point, Subic Bay, Olongapo City
• Sangley Point, Cavite
• Legazpi City, Albay
• Cuyo, Palawan
• Masbate City, Masbate
• Iloilo City, Iloilo
• Catbalogan, Samar
• Tacloban City, Leyte
• Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Sur
• Davao City, Davao del Sur

43°C:

• Tuguegarao City, Cagayan
• ISU Echague, Isabela
• San Jose, Occidental Mindoro
• CBSUA-Pili, Camarines Sur
• Dumangas, Iloilo
• Catarman, Northern Samar
• Guiuan, Eastern Samar

44°C:

• Laoag City, Ilocos Norte
• Aparri, Cagayan
• Puerto Princesa City, Palawan
• Roxas City, Capiz

45°C:

• Dagupan City, Pangasinan

46°C:

• Virac (Synop), Catanduanes

According to PAGASA, areas with a heat index of 42°C to 51°C fall within the danger level.

Heat index is the measure of the temperature that a person feels, which is different from the actual air temperature. It is computed by factoring in the humidity and the air temperature.

PAGASA said heat cramps and heat exhaustion are likely in areas experiencing a danger level heat index, which is from 42 to 51°C. Heat stroke is also possible with continued exposure.

If anyone is experiencing heat stroke symptoms, the Department of Health (DOH) advised the following first aid measures:

• Move the person to a shaded, cool area, and provide ventilation.
• Remove the person’s outer clothing.
• Apply cold compresses, ice packs, cold water, or cold wet cloth against the skin, especially on the head, face, neck, armpits, wrists, ankles, and groin. If the patient is conscious, encourage frequent slow sips of cool water.
• Contact emergency services or bring the person to the hospital immediately.

To prevent heat-related illnesses, PAGASA advised the public to limit time spent outdoors, drink plenty of water, and avoid tea, coffee, soda, as well as liquor.

People should also use umbrellas, hats, and sleeved clothing outdoors and schedule their heavy-duty activities for the beginning or end of the day when it is cooler. —KG, GMA Integrated News