A heat index of 38 degrees Celsius resulted in the cancellation of face-to-face classes in two National Capital Region (NCR) cities for the second day on Tuesday.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) recorded a heat index of 38 degrees Celsius in the Science Garden in Quezon City.

Pagasa forecast a heat index of 39 degrees Celsius for Wednesday but it was not known if classes in the NCR will be suspended as of posting time.

Pasay City has cancelled face-to-face classes in all levels, public and private, until March 6.

In a phone interview with Daily Manila Shimbun, Pagasa weather specialist Veronica Torres said the high heat index can be associated with the decreasing effect of the northeast monsoon.

“We’re expecting the dry season to begin around the first half until the end of March, so we can expect the high index temperatures to continue,” Torres said.

On Tuesday, Manila declared no face-to-face classes for all levels in public and private schools. Quezon City cancelled classes from kindergarten to senior high school in all public schools. Yzabela Velez-White/DMS