Residents across several parts of the Philippines — particularly in Eastern Visayas and the Caraga region — should brace for moderate to heavy rain and an elevated risk of flash floods and landslides on Saturday, June 20, 2026, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA). The agency issued its 24-hour public weather forecast at 4:00 AM today, valid until 4:00 AM on Sunday, June 21.
While Tropical Storm Mekkhala (2607) remains well outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility — sitting roughly 1,665 kilometers east of southeastern Luzon — its outer weather system, known as a trough, is already influencing conditions in parts of the Eastern Visayas and Mindanao. Meanwhile, easterlies, or winds blowing in from the Pacific Ocean's eastern direction, are shaping the weather picture across Central and Southern Luzon. The rest of the country is expected to see rain activity driven by localized thunderstorms.
Tropical Storm Mekkhala: Still Far, But Worth Watching
As of 3:00 AM today, Tropical Storm Mekkhala was located at approximately 14.3°N, 138.4°E — about 1,665 kilometers east of southeastern Luzon. The storm is carrying maximum sustained winds of 75 km/h near the center, with gustiness reaching up to 90 km/h. It is moving west-northwestward at 25 km/h.
PAGASA has not placed any part of the country under a tropical cyclone wind signal at this time. However, the storm's trough — a low-pressure extension stretching away from the cyclone's center — is already producing rainfall in portions of Eastern Visayas and the northeastern tip of Mindanao. Residents in those areas are advised to monitor subsequent PAGASA bulletins as the storm's track could shift closer to the country in the coming days.
Luzon: Easterlies Bring Isolated Showers to Major Urban Centers
For most of Luzon, Saturday's weather will be shaped by easterlies — moist winds blowing in from the Pacific. PAGASA expects partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms over the following areas:
- Metro Manila
- Central Luzon (including Pampanga, Bulacan, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, Bataan, Zambales, and Aurora)
- CALABARZON (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon)
- MIMAROPA (Marinduque, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Palawan, and Romblon)
- Bicol Region (Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Masbate, and Sorsogon)
While rain is not expected to be continuous across these areas, PAGASA cautions that severe thunderstorms could trigger flash floods or landslides, particularly in low-lying communities and areas near waterways or steep terrain. Residents in vulnerable zones in the Bicol Region and the eastern portions of CALABARZON — which are naturally exposed to Pacific weather systems — should remain especially watchful.
In Metro Manila, winds will blow from the northeast to southeast at light to moderate speeds. Coastal waters around Luzon are forecast to be slight to moderate, with wave heights ranging from 0.6 to 1.2 meters. These conditions are generally safe for small sea vessels, though mariners are still advised to exercise standard precautions.
Visayas: Trough of Mekkhala Raises Flash Flood and Landslide Risk
The Visayas region faces a more pressing weather concern on Saturday. The trough of Tropical Storm Mekkhala is directly influencing the eastern portions of the region, bringing cloudy skies with scattered rains and thunderstorms to:
- Eastern Samar
- Southern Leyte
These areas face the highest weather risk in the forecast period. PAGASA specifically warns of possible flash floods or landslides due to moderate to at times heavy rains. Residents in mountainous or low-lying coastal barangays in these provinces are urged to stay alert and, if in danger zones, to heed any evacuation orders from local government units.
The rest of the Visayas — including Western Samar, Cebu, Bohol, Negros, Iloilo, Capiz, Aklan, Antique, and Guimaras — can expect partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms driven by localized weather activity. Flash floods or landslides remain possible during severe thunderstorm episodes even in these areas.
Coastal waters across the Visayas will be slight to moderate, with wave heights of 0.6 to 1.5 meters, under light to moderate northeast to northwest winds.
Mindanao: Eastern Provinces on Alert; Rest Sees Localized Showers
In Mindanao, the weather picture is split between the eastern and western sections of the island group. The trough of Tropical Storm Mekkhala affects the eastern section of Mindanao, with particular impact on:
- Dinagat Islands
- Surigao del Norte
These provinces are under the same elevated threat level as Eastern Samar and Southern Leyte — cloudy skies with scattered rains and thunderstorms, with possible flash floods or landslides due to moderate to at times heavy rains. Communities in Surigao del Norte, in particular, should note that the area has historically been vulnerable to flooding during periods of enhanced rainfall associated with tropical weather systems.
The rest of Mindanao — including Davao Region, Northern Mindanao, the Zamboanga Peninsula, SOCCSKSARGEN, and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) — will see partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms due to localized thunderstorms. Flash floods or landslides remain possible during severe thunderstorm episodes.
Coastal waters in the eastern section of Mindanao are forecast at slight to moderate, with wave heights of 0.6 to 1.5 meters, under light to moderate northeast to northwest winds. The rest of Mindanao will see southwest to west winds at light to moderate speeds, with wave heights of 0.6 to 1.2 meters.
Temperature and Humidity: A Warm and Humid Saturday
PAGASA's weather station at Science Garden in Diliman, Quezon City recorded a maximum temperature of 33.1°C at 11:00 AM yesterday and a minimum of 26.5°C at 6:00 AM. Relative humidity ranged from a high of 89% to a low of 57%, reflecting the warm and humid conditions typical of the Philippine wet season in June.
For Metro Manila, sunrise today is at 5:28 AM and sunset at 6:27 PM. The moon rises at 10:28 AM and sets at 11:04 PM, with a 35% illumination — a waxing crescent phase that will provide minimal natural light after sunset.
Tidal data from NAMRIA for Manila Bay shows a high tide of 1.29 meters at 1:41 PM and a low tide of 0.04 meters at 10:03 PM today. Coastal communities around Manila Bay should take note of these tide levels, particularly during heavy rain episodes when storm surge and high tide can combine to worsen flooding.
Safety Reminders for Saturday, June 20
PAGASA's forecast underscores several key safety points for residents across the country today:
- Residents in Eastern Samar, Southern Leyte, Dinagat Islands, and Surigao del Norte face the greatest risk and should avoid river areas, hillsides, and other landslide-prone zones during rainfall.
- Metro Manila and surrounding provinces may experience brief but intense rain bursts from isolated thunderstorms — these can cause localized flooding even in urban areas with drainage infrastructure.
- Farmers and fisherfolk should monitor sea conditions before heading out; while coastal waters are generally slight to moderate, conditions can deteriorate rapidly near active thunderstorm cells.
- Travelers and commuters across all regions should keep an eye on weather developments, particularly those heading to mountainous or coastal areas.
"Possible flash floods or landslides due to moderate to at times heavy rains" — PAGASA, 24-Hour Public Weather Forecast, 4:00 AM, June 20, 2026
PAGASA will issue updated forecasts as conditions develop, particularly as Tropical Storm Mekkhala continues its west-northwestward movement. Although the storm remains far from PAR, its eventual track will determine whether it poses a more direct threat to the country in the days ahead.
Monitor official PAGASA updates at pagasa.dost.gov.ph.