Pagasa: Get ready for 40-degree summer

MANILA, Philippines - Saying summer temperatures are due to soar to as high as 40 degrees Celsius, state weather forecasters advised the public Thursday to take protective measures from the sun. Nathaniel Cruz, head of the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), issued this advice as he said the scorching heat will last until May. "Dito sa Metro Manila posibleng umabot ng 37, pero sa ibang lugar sa Cagayan Valley posibleng umabot ng 40 (In Metro Manila, temperatures can go up to 37 degrees but in other areas like Cagayan Valley it can go up to 40)," Cruz said in an interview on dzBB radio. He noted that while 37 degrees Celsius is the normal body temperature, people normally already feel uncomfortably hot at 34 to 35 degrees Celsius. Worse, he said the relative humidity at this time of year may make some people feel up to four degrees hotter. "Meron tayong human comfort index. Pag mainit ang temperature mga 34 to 35 at ang relative humidity, ang 35 dagdag ka 4 degrees, pairamdam mo 38 to 39. Paano kung umabot tayo at aabot yan sa 36 to 37 (We have a human comfort index. At 34 to 35 degrees you factor in relative humidity and add about 4 degrees. If we already feel like it's 38 to 39 degrees when it's just 34 to 35 degrees, what more if the temperature reaches 36 to 37)?" he said. Cruz said the only "consolation" is that this year's summer is "abnormal" because there will be rains. He advised people to stay away from exposure to the sun especially from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. He said the temperature will be at its hottest between 2 and 3 p.m. "Ang di maiwasan magbilad sa araw tulad ng pulis, drivers at nagtitinda, hangga't maari magsuot ng damit na magaan sa katawan, manipis, sumbrero at sunblock (Those who cannot avoid the sun like policemen, drivers and vendors should wear light clothing, caps and apply sunblock)," he said. - GMANews.TV