QUEZON CITY, September 18, 2026 — A Low Pressure Area churning off the coast of Palawan is bringing widespread cloudiness, scattered rains, and the threat of flash floods and landslides to millions of Filipinos across Visayas, MIMAROPA, Bicol, and parts of Mindanao on Friday, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
The state weather bureau issued its 24-hour public weather forecast at 4:00 AM today, valid until 4:00 AM on Saturday, September 19, 2026. The forecast paints a wet and unsettled picture for a large portion of the country, while Metro Manila and the remaining regions brace for the possibility of afternoon thunderstorms driven by localized heating.
What Is Driving Today's Weather
At 3:00 AM Friday, PAGASA estimated the position of a Low Pressure Area (LPA) over the coastal waters of Dumaran, Palawan, at coordinates 10.1°N, 120.0°E. An LPA is a region of the atmosphere where air pressure is lower than its surroundings, causing warm, moist air to rise and condense into clouds and rain. Because it has no well-defined center of circulation yet, it is classified as an LPA rather than a tropical cyclone — but it is still capable of producing significant rainfall over a broad area, especially over adjacent land masses and bodies of water.
It is the LPA that PAGASA identifies as the direct cause of the cloudy skies and scattered rains affecting the central and southwestern parts of the country today.
Separately, PAGASA is also monitoring Severe Tropical Storm Dujuan (2625), but Filipinos need not be alarmed by this system today. As of 3:00 AM, Dujuan was located 2,460 kilometers east-northeast of extreme northern Luzon, with maximum sustained winds of 110 km/h near its center and gusts of up to 135 km/h, moving northwestward at 55 km/h. Dujuan remains well outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) and is not directly affecting Philippine weather at this time. PAGASA will continue to monitor its track.
Region-by-Region Forecast
Most Affected Areas: Visayas, MIMAROPA, Bicol, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Batangas, and Quezon
These areas bear the brunt of the LPA's influence today. PAGASA forecasts cloudy skies with scattered rains and thunderstorms throughout the day. Residents and local government units in these areas are warned of the possibility of flash floods or landslides due to moderate to heavy rainfall.
This means that in provinces across the Eastern Visayas, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, the Bicol Region (Albay, Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte, Catanduanes, Masbate, Sorsogon), MIMAROPA (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan, and their island provinces), Zamboanga Peninsula, and Northern Mindanao, rain is not just a possibility — it is the expected condition for most of the day. In areas with steep terrain or waterways prone to overflowing, this combination of factors creates real hazard conditions that demand attention.
The provinces of Batangas and Quezon in Luzon are also included in this high-rain zone, distinguishing them from their neighbors in Metro Manila and the broader National Capital Region.
Metro Manila and the Rest of the Country
For Metro Manila and all other areas not listed above, PAGASA forecasts partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms. The driver here is not the LPA but rather localized thunderstorms — storms that form due to afternoon heat and humidity rather than a large-scale weather system. These tend to be more unpredictable in timing and location but can still be intense when they occur.
Even so, PAGASA notes the possibility of flash floods or landslides during severe thunderstorm episodes — a reminder that even "isolated" storms can produce dangerous rainfall in a short period, particularly in low-lying urban areas or near hillsides.
The Rest of Luzon
Provinces in Luzon outside of Metro Manila, Batangas, and Quezon — including Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Cordillera Administrative Region, Central Luzon, and CALABARZON (except Batangas and Quezon) — fall under the "rest of the country" category, expecting partly cloudy to cloudy conditions with the chance of localized afternoon thunderstorms.
Wind and Coastal Water Conditions
Winds across the country are light to moderate in intensity today, blowing from the southwest to southeast over Southern Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, and from the northeast to east over the rest of Luzon.
Coastal waters are classified as slight to moderate, with wave heights of 0.6 to 2.1 meters expected in both the northern and southern maritime zones. While no gale warning has been issued, waves on the higher end of this range — approaching 2 meters — can be hazardous for small watercraft and fishing boats.
Decoding the Warnings: What Each Hazard Level Means
PAGASA has not raised any tropical cyclone wind signals or color-coded rainfall warnings (yellow, orange, or red) in this particular bulletin. However, the agency has explicitly cited the risk of flash floods and landslides in its hazard outlook for the LPA-affected areas — a consequence of moderate to heavy rainfall expected to accumulate over these regions.
It is important for readers to understand that even without a formal warning code, PAGASA's language here is a meaningful alert. The phrase "possible flash floods or landslides due to moderate to at times heavy rains" is a direct advisory that conditions in those areas are conducive to rapid, dangerous flooding — especially in mountain communities, river basins, and coastal lowlands.
If you want to fully understand how PAGASA structures its alert system — from rainfall color codes to storm signals and heat index categories — read our guide on how to read PAGASA's weather warnings.
What This Means for You
Commuters
If you are commuting in Metro Manila or any major city today, expect the possibility of sudden, heavy afternoon downpours. Roads in low-lying areas — particularly underpasses and streets near esteros and drainage canals — can flood quickly during localized thunderstorms. Plan your travel schedule with buffer time in the afternoon and evening, and check road conditions before leaving home.
Fisherfolk and Small-Boat Operators
Wave heights of up to 2.1 meters are forecast across both Southern and Northern waters. Small-boat operators — bangka fishermen and coastal ferry operators — should exercise caution before heading out. While no gale warning is in effect, seas on the rougher end of today's forecast can capsize small, undecked vessels. If you are in the Visayas, MIMAROPA, or Palawan coastal areas where the LPA is active, conditions on the water may be more unsettled than in other regions. When in doubt, stay ashore.
Farmers
Scattered to heavy rainfall across Visayas, Bicol, MIMAROPA, Zamboanga Peninsula, and Northern Mindanao could benefit crops that need moisture — but farmers in areas prone to flooding or with crops in low-lying fields should monitor water levels closely. Flash flooding can damage standing crops rapidly. Secure equipment and livestock that may be vulnerable to rising waters.
Students, Parents, and Schools
Parents sending children to school in the Visayas, Bicol, and the other heavily affected regions should monitor local government announcements regarding class suspensions. PAGASA's advisory of flash flood risk is a factor that local government units weigh when making suspension decisions. Even in Metro Manila, afternoon thunderstorms could affect dismissal times. Keep an eye on your local government's official social media pages throughout the day.
Outdoor Workers
Construction workers, delivery riders, farmers, and other outdoor workers in areas under the LPA's influence face the highest exposure today. Seek shelter immediately when thunder is heard — lightning strikes are a real danger during thunderstorms. Workers in areas near rivers, cliffs, or slopes should be especially alert to signs of rising water or ground movement.
Temperature Outlook
PAGASA's reference weather station at Science Garden in Diliman, Quezon City recorded a maximum temperature of 30.4°C at noon yesterday and a minimum of 24.7°C at 6:00 AM. Relative humidity ranged from 66% to 94%, reflecting the moist atmospheric conditions associated with the current weather pattern.
No heat index warning was included in today's bulletin. The prevalence of cloud cover and rain across much of the country should keep daytime temperatures moderate in affected areas, though brief sunny spells in partly cloudy zones could still feel warm and humid.
Tidal Information for Manila Bay
For those near Manila Bay, NAMRIA's tidal predictions (as included in PAGASA's bulletin) show a high tide of 1.06 meters at 1:30 AM and a low tide of 0.16 meters at 10:59 AM today. Sunrise is at 5:45 AM and sunset at 5:56 PM. The moon is currently at 46% illumination.
Bottom Line
Bottom line: The Low Pressure Area near Palawan is the main story today. If you live in Visayas, MIMAROPA, Bicol, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Batangas, or Quezon, treat today as a genuine rain day — carry protection, avoid flood-prone areas, and do not cross flooded roads or waterways. Everyone else should stay alert for afternoon thunderstorms that can arrive quickly and intensely, even on a partly sunny morning.
Monitor official PAGASA updates at pagasa.dost.gov.ph.