Easterly winds are bringing varied weather conditions across the Philippines, with six Mindanao provinces facing increased risks of flash floods and landslides over the next 24 hours, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) announced in its morning forecast.
The weather bureau's 24-hour public weather forecast, issued at 4:00 AM on April 28, 2026, and valid until 4:00 AM tomorrow, indicates that easterlies—warm, moist winds from the Pacific Ocean—continue to dominate the country's weather patterns.
Mindanao Faces Heaviest Rainfall Risks
The most significant weather impacts are expected across six provinces in Mindanao, where residents should prepare for potentially hazardous conditions. Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Norte, Maguindanao del Sur, Zamboanga del Sur, and Misamis Occidental will experience cloudy skies accompanied by scattered rains and thunderstorms throughout the forecast period.
PAGASA specifically warns that these areas face possible flash floods or landslides due to moderate to at times heavy rainfall. The combination of scattered rain systems and thunderstorm activity creates conditions where rainfall amounts can quickly accumulate, particularly in low-lying areas and regions with steep terrain.
Local governments and residents in these provinces should maintain heightened awareness, especially during afternoon and evening hours when thunderstorm activity typically intensifies under easterly wind patterns.
Metro Manila and National Outlook
Metro Manila and the rest of the Philippines can expect more moderate weather conditions, with partly cloudy to cloudy skies dominating the forecast. However, isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms remain possible throughout the day across all regions not specifically mentioned in the heavier rainfall warning.
While the overall weather pattern appears less intense for most of the country, PAGASA cautions that severe thunderstorms can still develop in any area. When these intense weather cells form, they carry the potential to cause flash floods or landslides, particularly in urban areas with poor drainage or mountainous regions with unstable slopes.
Luzon Regional Conditions
Northern and Central Luzon will experience the characteristic partly cloudy to cloudy pattern associated with easterly influence. Light to moderate winds from the east to southeast direction will affect these regions, with coastal waters remaining at slight to moderate levels, reaching wave heights of 0.6 to 1.5 meters.
Southern Luzon shares similar wind patterns with the Visayas and Mindanao regions, experiencing light to moderate east to northeast winds and slightly higher coastal water conditions, with waves ranging from 0.6 to 1.8 meters.
Visayas Weather Pattern
The Visayas region falls under the general national forecast of partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms. The easterly wind pattern brings light to moderate winds from the east to northeast, creating coastal conditions similar to those affecting Southern Luzon and Mindanao.
Island communities should monitor developing weather conditions, as isolated thunderstorms can intensify rapidly in tropical maritime environments, potentially affecting inter-island transportation and outdoor activities.
Temperature and Humidity Conditions
Temperature readings from PAGASA's Weather Station at Science Garden in Diliman, Quezon City, provide insight into the thermal conditions accompanying the current weather pattern. Yesterday's maximum temperature reached 35.5°C at 3:00 PM, while the minimum dropped to 25.7°C at 5:00 AM.
Relative humidity levels fluctuated significantly throughout the day, peaking at 82% at 5:00 AM during the cooler morning hours and dropping to 44% at 3:00 PM when temperatures reached their daily maximum. These humidity variations reflect the typical tropical pattern influenced by easterly winds, which can bring both moisture from oceanic sources and drying effects during peak heating hours.
Marine and Coastal Conditions
Maritime activities across the Philippines should account for varying coastal water conditions depending on location. Northern and Central Luzon coastal areas will experience wave heights between 0.6 and 1.5 meters, while Southern Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao face slightly higher wave conditions reaching 0.6 to 1.8 meters.
These slight to moderate sea conditions generally permit normal maritime operations, though smaller watercraft should exercise standard precautions, particularly when thunderstorms develop in coastal areas. Fishing communities and inter-island transportation services should monitor local weather developments throughout the day.
Safety Recommendations and Preparedness
Given the varying weather risks across different regions, PAGASA emphasizes the importance of location-specific preparedness measures. Residents in the six highlighted Mindanao provinces should take immediate precautions against flash flooding and landslides.
Essential safety measures include avoiding low-lying areas prone to rapid water accumulation, staying away from riverbanks and creeks during heavy rainfall, and avoiding travel through areas with known landslide risks during periods of intense precipitation.
For the rest of the country, standard thunderstorm safety protocols apply. Residents should avoid outdoor activities during active thunderstorms, unplug electrical appliances during lightning activity, and maintain emergency supplies including flashlights, battery-powered radios, and first aid materials.
Urban areas should pay particular attention to drainage systems, as even isolated heavy rainfall can quickly overwhelm infrastructure in densely populated regions. Rural communities near slopes or unstable terrain should establish communication protocols for rapid evacuation if conditions deteriorate.
Extended Weather Context
The current easterly wind pattern represents typical transitional weather for this time of year in the Philippines. Easterlies often bring variable conditions across the archipelago, with localized thunderstorm development influenced by terrain features, coastal effects, and daily heating cycles.
This weather pattern can persist for several days, with daily variations in rainfall intensity and distribution. Communities should prepare for potentially similar conditions in the coming days while awaiting updated forecasts that will provide more specific guidance for extended planning.
Agricultural activities may be affected in areas experiencing heavier rainfall, with planting and harvesting schedules potentially requiring adjustment based on local precipitation amounts and soil moisture conditions.
For the most current weather information and any updates to this forecast, monitor official PAGASA updates at pagasa.dost.gov.ph.