The northeast monsoon will continue to dominate weather patterns across the Philippines on Sunday, bringing varied conditions from rainy skies in Northern Luzon to generally fair weather in most other parts of the country, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) reported.
In its 24-hour public weather forecast issued at 4:00 AM on March 15, 2026, and valid until 4:00 AM the following day, PAGASA outlined a mixed weather picture nationwide as the northeast monsoon maintains its influence over the archipelago.
Northern Luzon Faces Cloudy, Rainy Conditions
The northeast monsoon will bring the most significant weather impacts to Northern Luzon, where residents should prepare for cloudy skies accompanied by rains throughout Sunday. The affected areas include Ilocos Region, Batanes, Cagayan, Abra, and the Cordillera Administrative Region provinces.
PAGASA meteorologists explained that the northeast monsoon's direct influence on these northern territories will result in persistent cloud cover and rainfall, though the agency did not indicate any significant hazardous impacts from these conditions.
Fair Weather Dominates Most of the Country
In contrast to the northern regions, the majority of the Philippines will experience more pleasant weather conditions on Sunday. Metro Manila, along with the rest of Luzon, the entire Visayas region, and northern and western sections of Mindanao, can expect partly cloudy to cloudy skies with only isolated light rains.
The northeast monsoon's influence in these areas will be considerably milder, resulting in generally favorable weather conditions with no significant impact expected on daily activities and outdoor plans.
Southern Mindanao Weather Patterns
The rest of Mindanao will see a slightly different weather pattern, with partly cloudy to cloudy skies accompanied by isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms. Unlike the monsoon-driven rains in Northern Luzon, these weather conditions in southern Mindanao stem from localized thunderstorms, which typically develop due to daytime heating and local atmospheric disturbances.
Wind and Coastal Water Conditions
The northeast monsoon will generate significant wind activity across various parts of the country, with Northern and Central Luzon bearing the brunt of the strongest conditions. These areas will experience strong northeast winds ranging from 31 to 60 kilometers per hour, accompanied by rough coastal waters with wave heights reaching 2.8 to 4.0 meters.
Visayas and the western sections of Mindanao will face moderate to strong northeast winds, creating moderate to rough coastal water conditions. Meanwhile, the eastern portions of Mindanao can expect moderate northeast winds with moderate to rough seas.
The remainder of Mindanao will experience the calmest conditions, with light to moderate northeast winds and slight to moderate coastal waters, making it suitable for maritime activities with proper precautions.
Temperature and Humidity Outlook
PAGASA's monitoring station at the Science Garden in Diliman, Quezon City recorded a maximum temperature of 28.5 degrees Celsius at 2:00 PM and a minimum of 18.7 degrees Celsius at 6:00 AM on Saturday. Relative humidity peaked at 65 percent during the early morning hours at 5:00 AM and dropped to its lowest point of 40 percent at 2:00 PM.
Maritime and Safety Considerations
Given the varied wind and wave conditions across the country, PAGASA advises mariners and coastal communities to exercise appropriate caution. Those in Northern and Central Luzon should be particularly mindful of the strong winds and rough seas, which may pose challenges for small watercraft and fishing activities.
The moderate to rough conditions expected in Visayas and western Mindanao also warrant careful consideration for maritime operations, while the calmer conditions in other parts of Mindanao provide more favorable circumstances for sea-related activities.
Regional Weather Summary
Luzon: Northern areas will experience the most active weather with monsoon rains and strong winds, while central and southern portions enjoy partly cloudy conditions with isolated light rains. Strong northeast winds will affect northern and central areas, with rough coastal conditions expected.
Visayas: Generally pleasant weather with partly cloudy to cloudy skies and isolated light rains from the northeast monsoon. Moderate to strong winds will create moderate to rough coastal waters.
Mindanao: Mixed conditions with northern and western areas experiencing partly cloudy skies and isolated light rains from the monsoon, while southern regions may see isolated thunderstorms from local weather disturbances. Wind conditions vary from moderate to light across different areas.
As weather patterns continue to evolve, residents across the Philippines are encouraged to stay informed about changing conditions and adjust their plans accordingly, particularly those in areas experiencing stronger winds and rough seas.
Monitor official PAGASA updates at pagasa.dost.gov.ph