MANILA, August 9, 2026 — Millions of Filipinos across Luzon and Visayas are waking up to a wet and blustery Sunday as the southwest monsoon, locally known as habagat, pushes widespread rain, strong winds, and thunderstorms across the northern two-thirds of the country. PAGASA issued the forecast at 4:00 AM today, Sunday, August 9, 2026, with the bulletin valid until 4:00 AM on Monday, August 10.
While no tropical cyclone has entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility, conditions on the ground — and at sea — demand caution, particularly for residents in coastal communities, fisherfolk, commuters navigating flooded roads, and anyone working or traveling outdoors today.
What Is Driving Today's Weather
The dominant weather system today is the southwest monsoon, which PAGASA identifies as directly affecting Luzon and Visayas. The southwest monsoon — or habagat — is the seasonal wind pattern that brings moisture-laden air from the Indian Ocean and the South China Sea into the western side of the Philippine archipelago every year from roughly June through September. When it is active and strengthened, as it is today, it funnels large amounts of rain into Luzon and Visayas, often producing heavy downpours, gusty winds, and rough seas along western coastlines.
In plain terms: the habagat is acting like a giant conveyor belt of wet air aimed directly at the western and central parts of the country. The more it intensifies, the more rain communities on its path receive.
Adding to the broader weather picture, PAGASA also reports three tropical depressions currently active outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility as of 9:00 AM today. The first is located far north-northeast of Batanes, the second is approximately 35 kilometers east of Extreme Northern Luzon, and the third is about 190 kilometers east of the extreme north of Luzon. All three are carrying maximum sustained winds of up to 45 kilometers per hour, with gustiness reaching up to 55 to 65 kilometers per hour, and are moving eastward to northeast. PAGASA states that none of these systems are currently inside PAR, though Filipinos are advised to continue monitoring updates given their proximity to the northern tip of the country.
Region-by-Region Forecast
Luzon
The heaviest weather burden today falls on Luzon, where the southwest monsoon is most directly felt.
Extreme Northern Luzon, including the Batanes group of islands, is forecast to experience strong to gale-force winds and rough to very rough seas — the most severe conditions anywhere in the country today. Residents and local officials in these island communities should exercise extreme caution.
The Ilocos Region, La Union, Pangasinan, Benguet, Zambales, Cagayan Valley, and nearby provinces can expect cloudy skies with moderate to heavy rain and possible thunderstorms driven by the southwest monsoon. These provinces along the western and northern corridors of Luzon will see persistent wet conditions throughout the day.
Metro Manila, together with Pampanga, Bulacan, Rizal, Cavite, Batangas, and the rest of the National Capital Region's surrounding provinces, is forecast to have cloudy skies with scattered rain and thunderstorms. Commuters should anticipate wet roads and possible flash flooding in low-lying areas, particularly in urban drainage catchments that are already saturated from previous days of monsoon rainfall.
Occidental Mindoro is also under the influence of the southwest monsoon, with moderate rain expected. Meanwhile, the rest of Luzon — broadly including Central Luzon — can expect moderate to strong winds from the southwest and rough seas along western-facing coastlines.
Visayas
The Visayas region is also significantly affected by the southwest monsoon today. Central Visayas, Western Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Leyte, and Southern Leyte are all forecast to experience cloudy skies with scattered rain and thunderstorms. PAGASA attributes these conditions directly to the southwest monsoon.
Coastal communities in the Visayas, particularly those facing the Sibuyan Sea and the western Visayan coastlines, should anticipate rough seas and should take the marine advisories seriously. Fisherfolk and small-vessel operators are especially at risk.
Mindanao
Mindanao escapes the worst of today's monsoon impact. PAGASA forecasts partly cloudy to at times cloudy skies with isolated rain showers and thunderstorms across the island group. While conditions are generally more favorable than in Luzon and Visayas, localized afternoon thunderstorms remain possible — a daily pattern common across Mindanao during the rainy season.
Residents in Mindanao should remain alert in the afternoons and evenings when thunderstorm activity typically peaks, but today does not present the widespread severe weather risk that Luzon and Visayas are facing.
Wind and Coastal Water Conditions
PAGASA's forecast for wind and coastal water conditions today paints a clear picture of deteriorating sea states across the northern and central Philippines:
- Extreme Northern Luzon: Strong to gale-force winds from the southwest; rough to very rough seas — small vessels should not sail.
- The rest of Luzon: Moderate to strong winds from the southwest; rough seas — small vessels are advised to exercise caution or stay in port.
- Visayas and Mindanao: Moderate to strong winds from the southwest; moderate to rough seas — mariners should remain alert and monitor updates.
In practical terms: if you are a fisherman, a small-boat operator, or anyone dependent on coastal waters for your livelihood or travel today, PAGASA's data strongly suggests staying ashore, especially in Northern Luzon and the rest of Luzon's western coast.
Decoding the Warnings
Today's PAGASA bulletin does not raise any Tropical Cyclone Wind Signals, as no tropical cyclone has entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility. However, the weather conditions described — particularly for extreme Northern Luzon with strong to gale-force winds — carry real hazards that should not be underestimated simply because they fall outside a formal storm signal framework.
The southwest monsoon is capable of producing rainfall intensities that may trigger localized flooding and landslides in mountain provinces and coastal lowlands without a named storm being present. Residents in areas historically prone to flash floods — particularly along the Ilocos coast, the Cagayan Valley, the Metro Manila esteros, and the western Visayan shoreline — should treat today's monsoon rains with appropriate seriousness.
If you want to understand exactly what each PAGASA warning level means and how to act on them, read our guide on how to read PAGASA's weather warnings — it explains rainfall color codes, storm signals, gale warnings, and heat-index categories in plain language.
What It Means for You
Commuters
Expect wet, slippery roads across Metro Manila and much of Luzon and Visayas today. The combination of monsoon rain and possible thunderstorms means urban flooding is likely in low-lying streets, underpasses, and areas with poor drainage. Allow extra travel time, keep emergency contacts handy, and avoid wading through floodwaters of unknown depth.
Fisherfolk and Small-Boat Operators
This is one of the most consequential advisories in today's bulletin. Rough to very rough seas are forecast for waters off Extreme Northern Luzon, and rough seas persist along the rest of Luzon's coastlines and into the Visayas. Small vessels — bangka, motorized outriggers, and similar craft — should remain docked today. The risk of capsizing in rough sea conditions is real and not worth taking.
Farmers
Moderate to heavy rainfall across Luzon and Visayas may benefit some crops but poses a risk of soil erosion, waterlogging, and crop damage in low-lying agricultural areas. Farmers in Cagayan Valley, Ilocos, Central Luzon, and the western Visayas should secure harvests and equipment where possible. Those in Mindanao face a comparatively calmer day but should still watch for afternoon showers.
Students, Parents, and Schools
Classes scheduled for today — a Sunday — are not directly affected, but parents planning outdoor activities should factor in the widespread rain forecast across Luzon and Visayas. Monday's conditions will depend on how the monsoon evolves overnight; continue checking PAGASA updates Sunday evening for the Monday outlook.
Outdoor Workers
Construction workers, delivery riders, market vendors, and others who work outdoors across Luzon and Visayas face a difficult day. Strong winds accompanying the monsoon — particularly in Northern Luzon — pose hazards for anyone working at height or in exposed locations. Seek shelter immediately if lightning activity begins, as thunderstorms are forecast across much of the country today.
Temperature and Humidity Outlook
PAGASA reports a minimum temperature of 26.8°C recorded in Manila at 2:00 AM today. Humidity in Manila stands at 82% as of 5:00 AM. The combination of cloudy skies and persistent rain will likely keep temperatures on the cooler side of the monsoon season range across Luzon and Visayas today, offering some relief from recent heat. Mindanao, with its partly cloudy conditions, may see slightly warmer afternoon temperatures, with isolated thunderstorms providing brief cooling during peak heat hours.
Bottom Line: The southwest monsoon is the story today across the Philippines. If you are in Luzon or Visayas — stay indoors as much as possible, avoid flooded roads, and do not sail in small vessels. If you are in Extreme Northern Luzon, treat the gale-force wind and very rough sea warnings as serious hazards regardless of the absence of a named storm. Mindanao residents can expect a relatively calmer day but should watch for afternoon thunderstorms. Stay informed and check PAGASA regularly throughout the day.
Monitor official PAGASA updates at pagasa.dost.gov.ph.