A huge part of the country continues to experience high heat index levels, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said yesterday.

“We’ve recorded 42 to 51 degrees Celsius heat indices mostly in Regions 1 and 2, Cordillera Administrative Region, Central Luzon, Cagayan area, and the Visayas and Mindanao,” Pagasa Climate Monitoring and Prediction Section chief Ana Liza Solis said in a “Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon” interview.

The high heat index levels are mostly recorded in coastal areas, Solis noted.

Heat index is the temperature felt by the human body when relative humidity combines with actual air temperature.

Solis also shared that Pagasa recorded the highest maximum daytime temperature of 40.4 degrees Celsius in Isabela last May 11.

The public could expect that high temperatures and heat indices will continue in the coming months.

Currently, the country is experiencing the peak of the warm and dry season, and Pagasa will likely issue an El Niño advisory in June, Solis said.

The probability of El Niño developing from June to August has increased to over 90 percent, she added.

Drier-than-usual conditions, dry spells, and drought are expected during El Niño.

Because of humidity, Solis said the public could also expect isolated rain showers and thunderstorms in the coming days.

Before El Niño, heavy rainfall may be experienced during the southwest monsoon or habagat season, she added.

Meanwhile, Solis urged the public to conserve water, and to monitor official advisories from Pagasa. (PNA)