MANILA, June 6, 2026 — A significant portion of the Philippines, particularly across Luzon, faces a wet and unsettled Saturday as Tropical Depression (TD) "Ester" and an active Southwest Monsoon work in tandem to bring widespread rainfall, flash flood risks, and rough coastal waters, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
In its 4:00 AM weather forecast valid until 4:00 AM on Sunday, June 7, PAGASA said the combined weather systems create conditions that could trigger flash floods and landslides in several provinces, urging residents — especially those in low-lying and mountainous areas — to remain alert throughout the day.
Tropical Depression Ester: Where It Is and What It Is Doing
As of 3:00 AM today, the center of Tropical Depression Ester was located approximately 350 kilometers north-northeast of Itbayat, Batanes, at coordinates 23.8°N, 122.8°E. The weather disturbance carried maximum sustained winds of 45 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 55 km/h. It was moving east-northeastward at 15 km/h, which means the storm is tracking away from the Philippine landmass rather than moving toward it.
While TD Ester is not expected to make direct landfall, its presence offshore is reinforcing the Southwest Monsoon — locally known as the habagat — which is currently affecting Northern and Central Luzon. This combined effect is responsible for the elevated rainfall and severe weather potential across multiple regions today.
Luzon: The Hardest-Hit Area
Luzon bears the brunt of today's weather disturbances, with PAGASA identifying several distinct zones of weather impact across the island group.
Ilocos Region, Abra, Benguet, Zambales, and Bataan
Residents in these areas should prepare for occasional rains throughout the day, driven primarily by the Southwest Monsoon. While these rains are expected to be intermittent rather than continuous, PAGASA warns that moderate to heavy rainfall is possible at times, raising the risk of flash floods and landslides — particularly in the hilly and mountainous terrain of Abra and Benguet. Residents near slopes, riverbanks, and low-lying communities should remain watchful.
Metro Manila and Surrounding Provinces
The national capital region faces a notably wetter day. PAGASA forecasts cloudy skies with scattered rains and thunderstorms for Metro Manila, a pattern that can bring abrupt, heavy downpours that overwhelm drainage systems and cause urban flooding. Commuters and outdoor workers should plan accordingly, as road flooding in low-lying areas of the metropolis is possible.
Cagayan Valley and the Cordillera Administrative Region
Cagayan Valley and the rest of the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) are under the same forecast: cloudy skies with scattered rains and thunderstorms, with the potential for flash floods and landslides due to moderate to occasionally heavy rainfall. The mountainous terrain of the Cordillera makes communities particularly vulnerable to landslides during prolonged or intense rainfall events. Residents in these upland areas are advised to stay informed and be ready to evacuate if local authorities issue warnings.
Rest of Central Luzon, Rizal, Cavite, Batangas, and Occidental Mindoro
These provinces are similarly under a cloudy skies with scattered rains and thunderstorms forecast. Flash floods and landslides remain a concern, especially in areas near rivers, mountains, and flood-prone zones. Residents in Batangas and Occidental Mindoro, which have coastal and hilly exposures, should also monitor sea and weather conditions throughout the day.
Visayas and Mindanao: Localized but Not Risk-Free
The weather picture improves significantly as you move south, but PAGASA cautions that no area is entirely in the clear on Saturday.
Across the rest of the country — which includes the Visayas island group and Mindanao — PAGASA expects partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms. These episodes are attributed to localized thunderstorm activity rather than an organized weather system.
However, PAGASA notes that even isolated thunderstorms can produce localized flash floods or trigger landslides when they occur over vulnerable terrain. Residents across the Visayas — including the Eastern, Western, and Central Visayas regions — and throughout Mindanao, from the Davao region to the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), should not dismiss the possibility of sudden heavy rain, even on an otherwise partly sunny day.
Wind and Coastal Water Conditions: Mariners and Fisherfolk on Alert
PAGASA has flagged significant wave activity off the coasts of Luzon, which poses a direct hazard to those at sea.
Along the coasts of Northern Luzon and the western section of Central Luzon, winds will be moderate to strong, blowing from the southwest, with coastal waters expected to be moderate to rough — with wave heights of 1.2 to 3.1 meters. These are dangerous conditions for small fishing vessels and bancas. Fisherfolk and mariners operating in these waters are strongly advised to exercise extreme caution or, if possible, to stay ashore.
For the rest of the country, winds will be light to moderate, also blowing from the south to southwest, with coastal waters classified as slight to moderate — wave heights between 0.6 and 1.8 meters. While conditions are less severe, smaller watercraft should still exercise caution, particularly during the peak thunderstorm hours of the afternoon and early evening.
Temperature and Humidity: A Warm, Humid Day
PAGASA's weather station at Science Garden in Diliman, Quezon City recorded the following extremes in the 24-hour period ending at 8:00 PM yesterday: a maximum temperature of 28.8°C (recorded at 11:00 AM) and a minimum of 26.2°C (recorded at 8:00 PM). Relative humidity ranged from a high of 92% to a low of 78%, reflecting the humid, moisture-laden atmosphere typical of the Southwest Monsoon season.
The high humidity means that even during breaks in the rain, the air will feel warm and heavy. Residents — particularly the elderly, children, and those with respiratory conditions — should stay hydrated and limit prolonged outdoor exposure during the hottest and most humid parts of the day.
Tidal Information for Manila Bay
For those in Metro Manila's coastal communities, PAGASA notes the following tidal predictions for Manila Bay, as provided by the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA): a high tide of 1.16 meters at 1:08 PM today and a low tide of -0.02 meters at 10:04 PM. Combined with the rainfall expected today, residents along the Manila Bay shoreline and low-lying coastal barangays should be mindful of potential coastal flooding during high tide.
Astronomical Information for Metro Manila
Sunrise in Metro Manila today is at 5:26 AM, with sunset at 6:24 PM. The moon rises at 11:01 PM and sets at 10:05 AM, with an illumination of 69% — a waxing gibbous phase.
Safety Reminders
PAGASA and local disaster risk reduction authorities consistently advise the public to take the following precautions during periods of active monsoon weather and tropical disturbances:
Residents in flood-prone areas and near mountain slopes should monitor water levels and be prepared to move to higher ground immediately if flooding or landslides threaten. Do not attempt to cross flooded roads or rivers on foot or by vehicle. Unplug electrical appliances during thunderstorms and avoid seeking shelter under trees or near metal structures. Fisherfolk and mariners should heed all sea condition advisories and defer travel on rough waters. Keep emergency supplies — including food, water, medicines, and important documents — ready in an easily accessible location.
"Tracking the sky… helping the country." — PAGASA, Weather and Flood Forecasting Center
This forecast was issued by PAGASA's Weather and Flood Forecasting Center, located at Senator Miriam P. Defensor-Santiago Avenue, Brgy. Central, Quezon City. The bulletin was prepared at 4:00 AM on June 6, 2026, and is valid until 4:00 AM on June 7, 2026.
For the latest weather updates, advisories, and storm bulletins, monitor the official PAGASA website at pagasa.dost.gov.ph or call their public information hotline at (+632) 8284-0800 local 4800.