Hot and humid in Cebu in the coming days

Local

BRACE for a scorching week, Cebu.

The state weather bureau has advised Cebuanos to prepare for hot and humid conditions from Monday, August 4, to Friday, August 8.

This is due to the heat index, a measure of how hot it feels to the human body, which could reach “extreme caution” levels despite forecasted air temperatures ranging only from 27 to 33 degrees Celsius, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration in Mactan (PAGASA-Mactan).

Engineer Al Quiblat, the chief of Pagasa-Mactan, confirmed on Monday, August 4, that Cebu will experience generally fair weather for the week. However, isolated rain showers or thunderstorms may occur in the late afternoon or evening.

“The temperature range this week will be from 27 to 33 degrees Celsius. Expect fair weather with localized thunderstorms,” Quiblat said.

Heat Index explained

According to Pagasa, the heat index measures what the temperature actually feels like to the human body by combining relative humidity with air temperature.

It is also referred to as the "apparent temperature" or the "feels like" temperature, which reflects how hot it feels beyond what the thermometer indicates. High humidity impairs the body's ability to cool itself, making the heat index a crucial factor in evaluating heat-related risks.

Pagasa categorizes heat index levels as follows:

Caution (27°C–32°C) – Fatigue possible with prolonged exposure and physical activity.

Extreme Caution (33°C–41°C) – Heat cramps and exhaustion possible.

Danger (42°C–51°C) – Heat cramps and exhaustion likely; heat stroke possible with prolonged exposure.

Extreme Danger (52°C and up) – Heat stroke imminent.

On August 3, Pagasa recorded a heat index of 40 degrees Celsius, which falls under the “extreme caution” category. Under this level, prolonged exposure to heat may lead to cramps, dehydration, or even fainting.

Stay safe, stay hydrated

In a local report, Jhomer Eclarino, a weather specialist from Pagasa-Mactan, urged the public to take necessary precautions, especially when going outdoors.

He stated that, based on their forecast, from today until Friday, fair weather would prevail along with continued hot conditions.

Eclarino advised people to stay hydrated, wear light clothing, and use protective gear such as hats and umbrellas when outside.

Pagasa is also monitoring a low-pressure area (LPA) outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility. While it is not expected to develop into a tropical cyclone or directly affect Cebu, it could pull in southwest monsoon winds (habagat) that may influence local weather conditions.

Last year, extreme heat conditions forced several local governments in Cebu to suspend face-to-face classes and revert to blended learning methods, typically used during the COVID-19 pandemic. At least seven localities implemented such shifts as temperatures soared beyond 38 degrees Celsius.

It was the first time in recent memory that local governments suspended in-person classes solely due to heat.(TGP)