The southwest monsoon, locally known as “habagat,” will continue to bring persistent rains across several regions in Luzon and the Visayas throughout the week, national weather agency PAGASA reported on Tuesday, September 8.
PAGASA weather specialist Veronica Torres noted during a morning briefing that while no low-pressure area (LPA) or tropical cyclone is currently inside or near the Philippine Area of Responsibility, the agency is not discounting the potential formation of an LPA in the days ahead.
For Tuesday, the heaviest downpours will concentrate over the western sections of Central and Southern Luzon. Heavy to intense rainfall ranging between 100 to 200 millimeters is projected for Zambales and Bataan. Meanwhile, moderate to heavy rainfall of 50 to 100 millimeters is expected over Pangasinan, Tarlac, Pampanga, Cavite, Batangas, and Occidental Mindoro.
Metro Manila, the remainder of Luzon, and Western Visayas can anticipate cloudy conditions accompanied by scattered rain showers, lightning, and localized thunderstorms.
In contrast, non-habagat areas across the rest of Visayas and Mindanao will likely see warm, humid conditions with partly cloudy skies, punctuated by late afternoon thunderstorms.
Rainfall is set to spread further by Wednesday, September 9, with 50 to 100 millimeters of rain expected over Ilocos Sur, La Union, Benguet, Pangasinan, Tarlac, Zambales, Pampanga, Bataan, Isabela, Aurora, Cavite, Batangas, and Occidental Mindoro.
Weather conditions are forecast to intensify on Thursday, September 10, as Occidental Mindoro faces heavy to intense rains of up to 100 to 200 millimeters. A widespread list of regions—including La Union, Benguet, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, Aurora, Nueva Ecija, Pangasinan, Tarlac, Zambales, Bataan, Pampanga, Bulacan, Rizal, Metro Manila, Cavite, Batangas, Laguna, Quezon, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Albay, Marinduque, Oriental Mindoro, Romblon, Aklan, Antique, and Palawan—will likely experience 50 to 100 millimeters of rainfall.
Torres cautioned residents in affected areas to remain vigilant, warning that flash floods and landslides are highly possible, especially in high-risk zones receiving heavy monsoon rains. Conditions are expected to gradually ease by Saturday, September 12.