QUEZON CITY, August 27, 2026 — Millions of Filipinos across Luzon and the western section of Visayas woke up Thursday to another day of heavy rains and gusty winds as the southwest monsoon, known locally as habagat, continues to dominate the country's weather pattern. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) issued its 24-hour public weather forecast at 4:00 AM on August 27, 2026, valid until 4:00 AM on Friday, August 28.
At the same time, PAGASA reported that a Low Pressure Area (LPA) was located approximately 1,030 kilometers east of Northern Luzon — at coordinates 18.9°N, 131.4°E — as of 3:00 AM today. While the LPA is not currently making a direct impact on local conditions, its presence is being monitored closely by state meteorologists.
What Is Driving Today's Weather?
The principal weather driver today is the southwest monsoon, or habagat — a seasonal wind system that blows moisture-laden air from the southwest across the Philippine archipelago during the wet season. When this airflow hits the mountains of Luzon and collides with warmer air masses, it triggers persistent, widespread rainfall and thunderstorms. This is why the most heavily affected areas today are concentrated along the western coasts of Luzon and the western side of Visayas, which bear the brunt of the moisture the monsoon carries in from the South China Sea. Separately, a Low Pressure Area (LPA) — an atmospheric system where air converges and rises, creating unsettled weather — currently sits far out at sea east of Northern Luzon and is being watched, though PAGASA does not attribute today's direct rainfall to it.
Region-by-Region Forecast: Where Will It Rain?
Luzon
The heaviest impact in Luzon today falls on Zambales and Occidental Mindoro, where PAGASA expects occasional rains with a genuine risk of flash floods and landslides due to moderate to heavy rainfall. Residents in low-lying areas and communities near slopes should remain alert and ready to act on any evacuation advisories from local authorities.
A broad swath of the most populated areas of Luzon will experience cloudy skies with scattered rains and thunderstorms. This includes Metro Manila, the Ilocos Region, the Cordillera Administrative Region, the rest of Central Luzon, Batanes, Cavite, Batangas, Rizal, Oriental Mindoro, and Palawan. All of these areas face flash flood and landslide risks associated with the moderate to heavy bursts of rain that can accompany thunderstorms.
For the rest of Luzon not named above, expect partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms still driven by the southwest monsoon. Flash floods or landslides remain possible during severe thunderstorms, so complacency is not advisable even in areas with lighter overall rain.
Visayas
The southwest monsoon extends its reach into the western section of Visayas. Antique, Iloilo, Guimaras, and Negros Occidental will experience cloudy skies with scattered rains and thunderstorms, with flash flood and landslide hazards, similar to much of Luzon.
Aklan, Capiz, and Negros Oriental can expect partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms also attributable to the southwest monsoon, with flash flood or landslide risks during severe thunderstorms.
The rest of the Visayas — areas not directly in the path of the habagat — will see partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms from localized thunderstorms. Flash floods or landslides remain possible in these areas during severe thunderstorm activity.
Mindanao
Most of Mindanao is outside the direct influence of the southwest monsoon today. PAGASA forecasts partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms across the region, driven by localized thunderstorms. While conditions are generally lighter than in Luzon and western Visayas, flash floods and landslides remain possible during any severe thunderstorm event, and residents should not dismiss the risk entirely.
Decoding the Warnings: What the Hazards Mean for You
PAGASA specifically flags the risk of flash floods and landslides across all forecast areas today, at varying levels of intensity depending on the expected rainfall. A flash flood can occur within minutes to hours of heavy rain, particularly in urban areas with poor drainage, river channels, and communities built near slopes or mountains. Landslide risks rise sharply when rainfall is prolonged or intense, especially in the mountain provinces of the Cordillera, Zambales, and other hilly terrain.
Understanding what different hazard and warning levels mean can help you stay safe. For a clear guide on reading PAGASA's system, see how to read PAGASA's weather warnings — it covers rainfall color codes, tropical cyclone wind signals, and heat index categories in plain language.
Today, no tropical cyclone wind signals have been raised. However, PAGASA's flash flood and landslide advisories embedded in the regional forecasts carry real urgency: in areas like Zambales, Occidental Mindoro, Metro Manila, the Cordillera, and western Visayas, heavy rainfall is not a distant possibility but an expected part of today's weather.
Wind and Coastal Water Conditions
Coastal conditions today are a serious concern, particularly for those living near or working on the waters off Luzon and the western section of Visayas. PAGASA forecasts moderate to strong winds blowing from the south to southwest, with moderate to rough seas — meaning wave heights of 1.5 to 3.4 meters. Waves at this height are dangerous for small watercraft including fishing boats, bancas, and motorized outriggers, and can be hazardous even for medium-sized vessels in the worst conditions.
Over the rest of the country — including most of Mindanao and the eastern Visayas — winds will be light to moderate, coming from the south to southwest, with slight to moderate seas at wave heights of 0.6 to 2.1 meters. Conditions are calmer but still warrant caution for the smallest watercraft.
What It Means for You
Commuters in Metro Manila and Urban Luzon
Scattered rains and thunderstorms are forecast throughout the day across Metro Manila and much of Central Luzon. Expect traffic slowdowns, potential flooding in low-lying streets, and reduced visibility during heavy downpours. Carry an umbrella or raincoat, leave earlier than usual, and avoid crossing flooded roads — even if the water appears shallow. Check your local government's social media pages for real-time flood advisories before heading out.
Fisherfolk and Small-Boat Operators
PAGASA's forecast of moderate to rough seas with waves reaching up to 3.4 meters off Luzon and the western Visayas is a direct warning to fisherfolk: do not venture out to sea in these waters today. Those who are already at sea should return to port as quickly as safely possible. Even in the calmer waters of the rest of the country, waves of up to 2.1 meters pose a hazard to small bancas and fishing vessels. Wait for an official all-clear before setting out.
Farmers
While rainfall is generally beneficial for crops, the possibility of flash floods — especially in Zambales, Occidental Mindoro, and the Cordillera region — poses a real threat to low-lying agricultural land. Farmers near river banks or flood-prone fields should move equipment and livestock to higher ground if possible. Landslide risks in hilly farming communities also remain elevated throughout the day.
Students, Parents, and School Administrators
With scattered rains and thunderstorms forecast for Metro Manila, Central Luzon, the Cordillera, and much of western Visayas, school administrators should monitor advisories from the Department of Education and local government units regarding class suspensions. Parents should prepare rain gear for children and monitor weather conditions before dismissal time. Avoid allowing children to walk near flooded streets or esteros.
Outdoor Workers and Construction Teams
Workers in construction, agriculture, and other outdoor industries in affected areas — especially in Zambales, the Cordillera, Metro Manila, and western Visayas — should limit exposure during heavy rainfall and thunderstorm episodes. Lightning is a genuine hazard during thunderstorms. Seek shelter inside solid structures during heavy downpours and avoid open elevated areas, tall trees, and bodies of water during lightning activity.
Temperature and Humidity Outlook
PAGASA's weather station at Science Garden in Diliman, Quezon City recorded a maximum temperature of 32.7°C at 12:00 PM and a minimum of 26.6°C at 6:00 AM for the 24-hour period ending 8:00 PM yesterday, August 26. Relative humidity ranged from a maximum of 92% to a minimum of 58% during the same period. The combination of high humidity and temperatures in the low 30s means the air will feel oppressively warm and muggy during any breaks in the rain, particularly in Metro Manila and other urban areas. Stay hydrated, wear light and breathable clothing, and take breaks in shaded or air-conditioned areas when possible.
For Metro Manila, today's tide predictions from NAMRIA show a high tide of 1.26 meters at 9:03 AM and a low of 0.07 meters at 5:25 PM, with another high of 0.49 meters at 11:46 PM. Coastal and low-lying barangays along Manila Bay should factor high tide into their flood preparedness, particularly if heavy rains coincide with the morning high tide.
Bottom Line
The single most important thing you should do today: if you live or work in Luzon or western Visayas, treat every rain event as a potential flash flood trigger. The southwest monsoon is actively producing heavy rain over these areas, and PAGASA has explicitly flagged flash flood and landslide risks across multiple provinces. Stay indoors during heavy downpours, avoid flood-prone roads, and keep monitoring official advisories throughout the day. Fisherfolk should stay ashore — seas off Luzon and western Visayas are too rough for safe navigation.
Monitor official PAGASA updates at pagasa.dost.gov.ph.