QUEZON CITY — Two weather systems are shaping conditions across the Philippines this Sunday, September 27, 2026, as Typhoon "QUEENIE" churns well northeast of Batanes and the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) continues to drench wide swaths of Visayas and Mindanao. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) issued its 24-hour public weather forecast at 4:00 AM today, valid through 4:00 AM on Monday, September 28.
While Typhoon Queenie remains far from the Philippine landmass at this time, its influence — combined with the rain-generating ITCZ in the south — means a majority of Filipinos nationwide will experience unsettled weather today, with flash floods and landslides flagged as genuine hazards in several regions.
What Is Driving Today's Weather?
Typhoon Queenie was located 675 kilometers northeast of Itbayat, Batanes as of 3:00 AM today, according to PAGASA. The storm had maximum sustained winds of 130 km/h near its center, with gusts reaching up to 160 km/h. It is tracking north-northeastward at 15 km/h — moving away from the Philippine landmass — but its size and intensity are still influencing wind flow and coastal wave conditions along the northern and eastern portions of Luzon.
The Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) is the second active weather driver today. The ITCZ is a broad belt near the equator where trade winds from the northern and southern hemispheres meet, causing warm, moist air to rise and form heavy rain clouds. When the ITCZ settles over or near the Philippines, it can produce persistent, widespread rainfall — often with embedded thunderstorms — across large portions of the country. Today, PAGASA says it is affecting Palawan, Visayas, and Mindanao.
Meanwhile, Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon — areas not directly under the ITCZ — are seeing localized thunderstorm activity, a common pattern in late September as the country transitions between weather seasons.
Region-by-Region Forecast
Luzon
Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon can expect partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms today, driven by localized weather disturbances rather than either of the two named systems. While widespread, prolonged rain is not expected across most of Luzon, PAGASA cautions that even isolated thunderstorms can trigger flash floods and landslides — especially in low-lying areas and mountainous terrain.
Winds over the northern and eastern sections of Luzon — the portions closest to Typhoon Queenie — will blow from the west to southwest at light to moderate intensity. Coastal wave heights in these waters are slightly higher than the rest of the country, reaching 0.6 to 1.8 meters. Residents in Batanes and the Cagayan Valley should remain aware of any updated advisories, given the typhoon's proximity to that general area.
Visayas
The Visayas region faces a split forecast today. Negros Island Region, Central Visayas, Leyte, and Southern Leyte are under the direct influence of the ITCZ and should brace for cloudy skies with scattered rains and thunderstorms. This is the more serious forecast category for the day: PAGASA warns that moderate to at times heavy rains from these conditions could produce flash floods and trigger landslides, particularly in elevated or hilly communities.
The rest of Visayas — including areas in the Western and Eastern Visayas not specifically named above — should see partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms, with flash floods and landslides still possible during periods of severe thunderstorm activity. Winds across the rest of the country, including the Visayas, blow from the south to southwest at light to moderate intensity, with coastal wave heights of 0.6 to 1.5 meters.
Mindanao
Northern Mindanao and Caraga — among the most rain-exposed areas in the country today — will experience cloudy skies with scattered rains and thunderstorms as the ITCZ bears down. PAGASA's hazard outlook is direct: moderate to occasionally heavy rainfall raises the risk of flash floods and landslides in these regions. Communities near rivers and along hillsides should be on alert.
Palawan, which straddles the boundary between Luzon and the Visayas-Mindanao belt, is also identified by PAGASA as being affected by the ITCZ, and residents there should similarly anticipate cloudy, rainy conditions with embedded thunderstorms.
The broader southern Philippines will see light to moderate winds from the south to southwest, with slight to moderate coastal wave heights of 0.6 to 1.5 meters.
Decoding the Warnings: What Do They Mean for You?
PAGASA has not raised tropical cyclone wind signals over any part of the Philippines as of this forecast — Typhoon Queenie remains far enough from the archipelago that direct wind impacts are not currently expected on land. However, the agency's hazard language for the ITCZ-affected areas is worth taking seriously.
The phrases "scattered rains and thunderstorms" and "possible flash floods or landslides due to moderate to at times heavy rains" are PAGASA's standard way of flagging elevated risk. These are not worst-case scenarios — they are active, real-time warnings that communities in the named areas should prepare for flooding, especially in low-lying zones and near waterways.
For a full explanation of how PAGASA categorizes rainfall warnings and storm signals, see our guide on how to read PAGASA's weather warnings.
The key takeaway from today's hazard language: if you live in Northern Mindanao, Caraga, Negros Island Region, Central Visayas, Leyte, or Southern Leyte, you should treat this like a genuine flood-risk day — not merely an inconvenient rainy one.
What It Means for You
Commuters
In Metro Manila and across Luzon, expect possible traffic disruption during thunderstorm episodes — these can be brief but intense, reducing visibility and flooding low-lying roads rapidly. Allow extra travel time and have a rain plan ready. In the Visayas and Mindanao, commuters in the most affected areas (Central Visayas, Northern Mindanao, Caraga) should anticipate longer delays and check whether roads in their area are prone to flooding before heading out.
Fisherfolk and Small-Boat Operators
Coastal waters are classified as slight to moderate nationwide, with wave heights up to 1.8 meters in the north and east, and up to 1.5 meters elsewhere. While these conditions are not the most extreme, small outrigger boats (bangka) can still be vulnerable in choppy seas, particularly if thunderstorms develop offshore. PAGASA advises caution. Fishermen in Batanes and along the northern and eastern coasts of Luzon should be especially mindful given Typhoon Queenie's influence on nearby waters. Check for any updated gale warnings before departing.
Farmers
Farmers in the ITCZ-affected belt — particularly in Northern Mindanao, Caraga, the Visayas, and Palawan — should secure crops, seedlings, and farm equipment ahead of potential heavy rain episodes. Flash flooding in low-lying agricultural areas could damage standing crops. In Luzon, isolated thunderstorms are unlikely to cause widespread agricultural disruption today, but localized flooding remains possible.
Students, Parents, and School Administrators
Classes in Luzon are likely to proceed normally under partly cloudy skies and only isolated storms, though school administrators should monitor local government announcements closely in case of rapid weather deterioration. In the Visayas and Mindanao — particularly in the areas under scattered rain warnings — local government units (LGUs) and DepEd divisions should be ready to act quickly if rain intensifies. Parents should listen for official class suspension announcements from their LGU, not unofficial social media posts.
Outdoor Workers and Construction Teams
Workers in elevated or exposed locations — particularly in Negros Island, Leyte, Caraga, and Northern Mindanao — face the highest risk today. Landslides are a specific hazard named by PAGASA for these areas. Construction teams operating on slopes, in excavation sites, or near hillsides should assess conditions before proceeding with outdoor work. All outdoor workers nationwide should take cover during thunderstorm events, as lightning is a real and underappreciated hazard in Philippine storms.
Temperature and Humidity
PAGASA's weather station at Science Garden, Diliman, Quezon City recorded a maximum temperature of 32.7°C at 2:00 PM yesterday and a minimum of 24.7°C at 6:00 AM yesterday. Relative humidity ranged from a high of 95% to a low of 60% over the same 24-hour period ending at 8:00 PM on September 26.
These figures reflect Metro Manila's conditions specifically. The combination of a 32.7°C peak temperature and high humidity levels can make the heat feel significantly worse than the thermometer reading suggests — a reminder that even on partly cloudy days in the metro, the midday hours can be oppressively warm. Stay hydrated, avoid prolonged sun exposure during peak hours (10:00 AM to 3:00 PM), and dress in light, breathable clothing.
Tides and Astronomical Information for Metro Manila
Today's tidal predictions for Manila Bay, courtesy of NAMRIA, show a low tide of 0.27 meters at 3:44 AM, a high tide of 0.94 meters at 10:36 AM, a second low of 0.32 meters at 4:47 PM, and a high of 0.81 meters at 10:42 PM. Sunrise is at 5:45 AM and sunset at 5:49 PM. The moon rises at 6:07 PM and sets at 5:57 AM, with an illumination of 99% — essentially a full moon tonight.
Bottom Line
If you are in Northern Mindanao, Caraga, Negros Island Region, Central Visayas, Leyte, or Southern Leyte, treat today as a flash flood and landslide alert day — avoid rivers, stay away from hillsides, and keep a close eye on official PAGASA and LGU advisories. Elsewhere in the country, be ready for sudden rain showers and bring waterproof gear. Typhoon Queenie is far from land for now, but continue to monitor its track in case it changes course.
Monitor official PAGASA updates at pagasa.dost.gov.ph.