QUEZON CITY, July 6 — Most Filipinos will wake up Sunday to partly cloudy to overcast skies, with scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms expected to develop throughout the day across the country, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said in its latest forecast bulletin.
The weather agency is monitoring Super Typhoon Bavi, but Filipinos need not panic — the storm is currently located an estimated 2,700 kilometers east of Eastern Visayas, placing it well outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR). It is moving westward at 15 km/h with maximum sustained winds of 205 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 240 km/h. PAGASA has not raised any tropical cyclone wind signal over any part of the country in connection with Bavi, and the storm is not expected to directly threaten the Philippines at this time.
The main weather drivers affecting the country today are the easterlies over the eastern sections of Luzon and Visayas, and localized thunderstorms over Metro Manila and the rest of the country.
What Is Driving Today's Weather?
The easterlies are warm, moisture-rich winds that blow in from the Pacific Ocean toward the Philippines. When these winds interact with the country's mountains and warm sea surface temperatures, they trigger clouds and rainshowers — particularly along the eastern seaboards of Luzon and Visayas. Meanwhile, the intense daytime heat over land generates localized thunderstorms, which can develop quickly in the afternoon and evening hours across Metro Manila and much of the rest of the archipelago, even without a major weather system present.
Region-by-Region Forecast
Luzon
Residents of Cagayan Valley — including Cagayan, Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, and Batanes — as well as the provinces of Aurora and Quezon can expect partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms, driven by the easterlies. PAGASA warns that severe thunderstorms in these areas could trigger flash floods or landslides, particularly in low-lying and mountainous localities.
Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon — including the Ilocos Region, the Cordillera Administrative Region, Central Luzon, CALABARZON (excluding Quezon), MIMAROPA, and the Bicol Region — will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms caused by localized thunderstorm activity. Flash floods and landslides remain possible during periods of heavy or prolonged downpours.
Visayas
Eastern Visayas — which includes Leyte, Southern Leyte, Biliran, Samar, Eastern Samar, and Northern Samar — is under the influence of the easterlies and should expect partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms, with the same risk of flash floods or landslides during severe weather. The rest of the Visayas, including Western Visayas (Iloilo, Capiz, Aklan, Antique, Guimaras, Negros Occidental) and Central Visayas (Cebu, Bohol, Negros Oriental, Siquijor), will also see partly cloudy to cloudy conditions with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms driven by localized activity.
Mindanao
All of Mindanao — including Davao Region, Northern Mindanao, SOCCSKSARGEN, Zamboanga Peninsula, Caraga, the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), and Dinagat Islands — can expect partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms. Dinagat Islands is specifically cited in the easterlies-affected zone, while the rest of Mindanao is under the influence of localized thunderstorm activity. Flash floods and landslides are possible during severe thunderstorms throughout the island group.
Decoding the Warnings: What Each Condition Means
PAGASA has not raised any tropical cyclone wind signal anywhere in the Philippines in connection with Super Typhoon Bavi or any other system. However, the forecast does include important hazard flags that readers should understand.
The bulletin warns of possible flash floods or landslides during severe thunderstorms across all regions. This is not a formal colored rainfall warning, but it is a standing hazard note that should be taken seriously — especially in hilly, mountainous, or flood-prone communities. Localized thunderstorms can intensify rapidly and produce intense, short-duration rainfall that overwhelms drainage systems or destabilizes slopes with little advance notice.
If your local government unit or PAGASA issues a yellow, orange, or red rainfall warning during the day, these signal progressively higher rainfall intensity and risk. For a full explanation of what each warning color means and what you should do at each level, read our guide on how to read PAGASA's weather warnings.
Coastal Waters and Seas: What Fisherfolk Need to Know
PAGASA is forecasting the following sea conditions for Sunday:
- East coast of Luzon (Pacific side): Light to moderate winds from the east to northeast; seas ranging from slight to moderate (0.6 to 2.5 meters). Coastal waters are described as moderate — mariners should exercise caution.
- Rest of Luzon (western and northern coasts, including the West Philippine Sea side): Light to moderate winds from the east to northeast; slight to moderate seas over straits.
- Visayas and eastern sections of Mindanao: Light to moderate winds from the northeast to northwest; slight to moderate seas (0.6 to 1.2 meters).
- Rest of Mindanao (southern and western coasts): Light to moderate winds from the southwest; slight to moderate seas.
No gale warning has been raised by PAGASA as of this bulletin. However, mariners operating small and bancas vessels are advised to remain vigilant, as sea conditions can change quickly when thunderstorms develop.
What It Means for You
Commuters
Localized thunderstorms can develop with little warning in the afternoon and evening — the most common time for convective storms in the tropics. If you commute during the late afternoon, prepare for sudden heavy rain, possible street flooding in low-lying areas, and reduced visibility. Bring a rain jacket or umbrella and allow extra travel time. Avoid crossing flooded roads or underpasses.
Fisherfolk and Small-Boat Operators
While no gale warning is in effect, the east coast of Luzon faces moderate coastal waters. Small-boat operators — particularly those using non-motorized or light-motorized bancas — should exercise caution when heading out to sea, especially on the Pacific-facing coasts. Check with your local PAGASA station or the Philippine Coast Guard before departing. Seas can worsen abruptly when afternoon thunderstorms develop offshore.
Farmers
Isolated to scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms are expected throughout the day across all agricultural regions. While light rains can benefit crops, severe thunderstorms bring the risk of flash flooding in low-lying farm areas and landslides in hillside plantations — particularly in Cagayan Valley, Aurora, Quezon, and Eastern Visayas, where the easterlies are most active. Secure loose equipment and avoid working in open fields during active thunderstorms due to lightning risk.
Students, Parents, and Schools
With thunderstorms possible throughout the day and into the evening, parents should prepare children for wet weather when heading to and from school. Stay updated on any class suspension announcements from local government units, which are typically issued when rainfall warnings are raised or when flooding affects roads. Note that class suspensions are decided by local officials, not PAGASA.
Outdoor Workers and Construction Personnel
Those working outdoors — including construction workers, market vendors, and utility crews — face heightened lightning risk during afternoon thunderstorm activity. Seek sturdy shelter immediately when thunder is heard. Avoid tall structures, isolated trees, and open fields during a thunderstorm. Workers in hilly or mountainous areas should be alert for signs of slope instability, particularly after heavy rain.
Temperature Outlook
In the 24-hour period ending 6:00 PM yesterday, the PAGASA Weather Station at the Science Garden in Diliman, Quezon City, recorded a maximum temperature of 35.8°C at 3:00 PM and a minimum temperature of 26.4°C at 5:00 AM. Relative humidity peaked at a maximum reading, with a minimum of 47% recorded at 5:00 PM, reflecting typical hot and partly dry midday conditions before afternoon cloud build-up.
Temperatures across the country on Sunday are expected to remain warm, consistent with the season, with afternoon heat potentially feeling more intense before cloud cover and rain arrive in the late afternoon. Residents in urban areas like Metro Manila, where concrete and asphalt trap heat, should stay hydrated and limit prolonged exposure to the midday sun.
Astronomical Information
PAGASA's bulletin also includes standard astronomical data for the day, useful for planning outdoor activities and maritime operations. Sunrise and sunset times, as well as moonrise and moonset information, are published in the official forecast available at pagasa.dost.gov.ph.
About Super Typhoon Bavi: No Immediate Threat, But Worth Watching
Super Typhoon Bavi, carrying the international designation 2609, is an active and powerful storm located approximately 2,700 kilometers east of Eastern Visayas as of 3:00 AM Sunday. With maximum sustained winds of 205 km/h and gusts up to 240 km/h, it is a significant system — but its distance from the Philippines means it poses no direct threat to the country at this time.
PAGASA will continue to monitor Bavi's track and intensity. Filipinos are encouraged to check for updated PAGASA bulletins regularly, as forecasts can change depending on the storm's movement and any developments in the regional weather pattern.
"Tracking the sky, helping the country." — PAGASA Weather and Flood Forecasting Center, Senator Miriam P. Defensor-Santiago Avenue, Brgy. Central, Quezon City
Bottom Line
Scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms will affect communities across the entire Philippines on Sunday, July 6, with the risk of flash floods and landslides during severe downpours — pack an umbrella, avoid flood-prone areas in the afternoon, and if you're heading to sea, check conditions first before departing.
Monitor official PAGASA updates at pagasa.dost.gov.ph