MANILA, Philippines — Tuesday, September 1, 2026: Filipinos in many parts of the country should brace for a wet day as Tropical Depression "Pilandok" and an active southwest monsoon together push widespread rain, strong winds, and rough seas across the archipelago, 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 tomorrow, September 2, 2026.
What Is Driving Today's Weather
Two weather systems are at work today. The first is Tropical Depression "Pilandok," whose center was estimated at 3:00 AM today to be approximately 1,060 kilometers east of extreme Northern Luzon (at 22.0°N, 152.1°E), packing maximum sustained winds of 65 km/h near its center and gusts of up to 70 km/h. The storm is moving West Northwestward at 10 km/h. While Pilandok remains outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) as of this writing, its presence is already influencing weather conditions across the country.
The second system is the southwest monsoon — locally known as habagat — which is currently affecting Luzon and the western sections of Visayas. The habagat is the seasonal flow of warm, moisture-laden wind from the southwest that typically brings prolonged and heavy rainfall to the western portions of the country during the rainy season. When a tropical cyclone sits east or northeast of the Philippines, it can intensify the pull of the habagat, pushing even more rain into already-wet areas.
PAGASA also notes the presence of Tropical Storm "Saodal" (internationally known as "Omet") outside PAR, located east-southeast of Pilandok, moving westward at 10 km/h with maximum sustained winds of 85 km/h and gusts of up to 100 km/h. While Saodal is not currently affecting the country directly, Filipinos should continue monitoring updates in case its track shifts.
Region-by-Region Forecast
Luzon
The habagat is hitting several parts of Luzon hard today. Residents of the Ilocos Region, Apayao, Benguet, Bataan, and Zambales should expect occasional rains driven by the southwest monsoon, with the possibility of flash floods or landslides in low-lying and mountainous areas. People in these provinces — especially those living near rivers, slopes, or drainage-prone communities — should remain on alert.
Metro Manila, CALABARZON (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon), the rest of Cagayan Valley, the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), Batangas, Romblon, Aklan, and Antique face cloudy skies with scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms, also attributed to the southwest monsoon. Thunderstorms can develop suddenly, so residents are advised to avoid open fields and stay away from flood-prone areas during heavy downpours.
The rest of Luzon — provinces and areas not specifically named above — can expect rainshowers or thunderstorms, some of which could turn severe. PAGASA flags these areas as potentially seeing more intense weather episodes during the forecast period.
Visayas
The western portions of the Visayas are under the direct influence of the habagat. Negros and the rest of Western Visayas (beyond Aklan and Antique already mentioned) are expected to experience rainshowers or thunderstorms, which may become severe. Residents in flood-prone areas of these provinces should take extra precaution and avoid crossing swollen rivers or flooded roads.
The rest of the Visayas — including Central Visayas (Cebu, Bohol, Siquijor) and Eastern Visayas (Leyte, Samar, Biliran) — will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms. While conditions are less intense in these areas, sudden downpours remain possible throughout the day.
Mindanao
The rest of the country, which includes Mindanao, is forecast to have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms. Although no specific storm system is directly affecting Mindanao at this time, residents should remain cautious as isolated thunderstorms can still cause localized flooding and disruption, particularly in areas with poor drainage.
Decoding the Warnings: What Each Level Means for You
PAGASA's forecast includes wind and coastal water conditions relevant to today's weather. Understanding what these mean can help you make safer decisions. For a full explainer, read how to read PAGASA's weather warnings.
According to today's bulletin, coastal waters in most parts of the country will be moderate to rough, with some areas experiencing very rough seas. In plain terms, this means wave heights are high enough to be dangerous for small watercraft. PAGASA categorizes wind and wave conditions as follows in practical terms:
- Moderate seas: Conditions may be manageable for larger vessels but risky for small boats and bancas.
- Rough seas: Small boats and bancas should not venture out. Even larger vessels should exercise caution.
- Very rough seas: All small watercraft should remain in port. Larger vessels should defer to their operators' safety protocols and PAGASA advisories.
PAGASA notes that the southwest-to-northeast wind flow is affecting most areas, with strong winds and rough-to-very-rough coastal water conditions prevailing along exposed coastlines. The agency's gale warning status should be confirmed in the latest marine bulletin at pagasa.dost.gov.ph.
What This Means for You
Commuters
Heavy rains and thunderstorms are expected across Metro Manila, CALABARZON, and other parts of Luzon today. Expect possible flooding along low-lying streets and underpasses during and after heavy downpours. Allow extra travel time, avoid flood-prone routes, and keep an umbrella and waterproof bag handy. If your commute involves crossing bridges or drainage canals, monitor water levels before crossing.
Fisherfolk and Small Boat Operators
This is a critical day at sea. With rough to very rough coastal waters across most of the country, PAGASA strongly advises fisherfolk and small boat operators to stay ashore. Do not attempt to sail if you operate a small vessel or banca. Even moderate seas can capsize small watercraft when combined with sudden squalls driven by the habagat. Wait for conditions to improve and check for the latest PAGASA marine bulletin before heading out.
Farmers
Farmers in Ilocos, Zambales, Bataan, Benguet, and other monsoon-affected areas should secure crops and farm equipment ahead of anticipated rains. Flash floods and landslides remain possible in mountainous and low-lying agricultural areas. In areas with scattered thunderstorms, drainage and soil erosion could pose risks to newly planted crops. Farmers in Mindanao are in relatively less severe conditions but should still monitor for localized flooding.
Students, Parents, and School Administrators
With thunderstorms possible across much of Luzon and parts of Visayas, school administrators and local government units should monitor PAGASA updates for any weather-related class suspensions. Parents should prepare their children with rain gear and plan for delayed dismissals or last-minute schedule changes. In areas with occasional or scattered rains, schools may operate normally — but conditions can change quickly.
Outdoor Workers and Construction Teams
Outdoor work in affected areas should be approached with caution today, particularly in the Ilocos Region, Benguet, Zambales, Bataan, Metro Manila, and the rest of the habagat-affected zones. Lightning is a serious risk during thunderstorms. Suspend work in open or elevated areas when thunderstorms approach. Workers near rivers, slopes, or construction sites in low-lying areas should have a clear evacuation plan in place.
Temperature and Humidity Outlook
PAGASA's temperature and relative humidity data for the 24-hour period ending at 8:00 PM yesterday show conditions reflective of the current wet-season pattern. The forecast covers temperature ranges and humidity levels typical for early September across key observation stations nationwide. Exact figures for individual cities and stations are available at PAGASA's official website. In general, the cloud cover and rain activity associated with the habagat and Pilandok will keep daytime temperatures from climbing too high in affected areas, though humidity levels remain elevated — meaning the air will feel warm and sticky even without direct sunshine.
Tropical Storm Saodal: Watch, But Don't Panic Yet
While Tropical Storm Saodal (formerly "Omet") is currently outside PAR and moving westward, PAGASA is tracking its movement. As of 3:00 AM today, it had maximum sustained winds of 85 km/h near the center and gusts of up to 100 km/h, and was moving east-southeast of Pilandok. Filipinos should watch for further PAGASA updates on both systems, particularly as Pilandok's westward movement could eventually bring it closer to Philippine landmass in the coming days.
"Tracking the sky for the country." — PAGASA
Bottom Line
The single most important thing to do today: if you are a fisherfolk or small boat operator, stay ashore — seas are rough to very rough across most of the country. For everyone else, prepare for rain wherever you are, watch for flash floods in low-lying areas, and follow PAGASA updates as Tropical Depression Pilandok continues to move closer to the Philippines.
Monitor official PAGASA updates at pagasa.dost.gov.ph.