Vast stretches of Luzon are bearing the brunt of the southwest monsoon this Wednesday, June 3, 2026, as moisture-laden winds from the southwest unleash persistent and at times heavy rainfall across the western corridor of the country's largest island group. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration — commonly known as PAGASA — released its 24-hour public weather forecast at 4:00 AM today, covering conditions through 4:00 AM on June 4, and placed flash floods and landslides at the top of its hazard list for multiple regions.
Dominant Weather System: The Habagat
The southwest monsoon, referred to locally as the habagat, is the primary force shaping weather conditions across the Philippines today, according to PAGASA. Its grip is strongest over Northern Luzon, Central Luzon, and the western portion of Southern Luzon, where saturated terrain and relentless inflows of warm, moisture-heavy air are creating favorable conditions for intense rainfall. Outside the monsoon's direct reach — across the eastern side of Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao — localized thunderstorm activity is generating its own share of weather disturbances.
PAGASA identified flash floods and landslides as the foremost dangers for communities situated in flood-prone lowlands and along mountainous terrain. Residents in these areas are urged to stay attuned to official advisories issued by their respective local government units and disaster risk reduction and management offices.
Weather Conditions Across Luzon
Metro Manila and Key Provinces
Metro Manila is in for a wet Wednesday, with occasional rains expected throughout the day as a direct result of the southwest monsoon, PAGASA said. The same unsettled forecast covers a wide band of provinces: Pangasinan, Zambales, Bataan, Tarlac, Pampanga, Bulacan, Cavite, Batangas, Occidental Mindoro, and Palawan. Rainfall in these areas may reach moderate to heavy intensities at certain points during the day, elevating the risk of flash floods in low-lying neighborhoods and landslides in hilly and upland communities.
Commuters in the capital region are advised to anticipate possible traffic disruptions and delays in public transportation, particularly during peak rainfall hours. Streets and underpasses in areas historically susceptible to flooding may experience significant inundation.
Northern Luzon, Cordillera, and Surrounding Regions
Farther north and inland, a broad swath of Luzon faces cloudy skies and scattered rains mixed with thunderstorms. This includes Cagayan Valley — covering provinces such as Isabela and Cagayan — and the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), which encompasses Kalinga, Apayao, Abra, Benguet, Ifugao, and Mountain Province. The remaining portions of the Ilocos Region, Central Luzon, CALABARZON, and MIMAROPA fall under the same general forecast, according to PAGASA.
Thunderstorms in these areas can temporarily push rainfall to heavy intensities, making flash floods and landslides a serious and ongoing concern. PAGASA specifically cautioned mountain communities in the Cordillera and communities situated along river corridors in Cagayan Valley to stay in close contact with their local disaster risk reduction and management offices (LDRRMOs) and be prepared to act on evacuation advisories without delay.
Visayas: Thunderstorm-Driven Showers
Across Western, Central, and Eastern Visayas, the weather picture today is shaped not by the monsoon but by localized thunderstorm activity. PAGASA's forecast calls for partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers and thunderstorms throughout the island group. While conditions are generally less severe than in Luzon's monsoon-affected zones, the weather bureau noted that flash floods and landslides remain a real hazard when thunderstorms intensify over flood-prone and mountainous areas.
Coastal waters across the Visayas are expected to remain slight to moderate, with wave heights ranging from 0.6 to 1.8 meters. Winds will blow from the southeast to south at light to moderate speeds. Coastal communities and fishing villages are still advised to stay alert to any sudden changes in sea conditions.
Mindanao: Calmer but Still Watchful
Mindanao rounds out the national picture with partly cloudy to cloudy skies and isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms driven by localized activity, similar to conditions in the Visayas. PAGASA noted that risks of flash floods and landslides persist in vulnerable Mindanao communities when thunderstorms reach severe intensity.
The island group enjoys the calmest marine conditions in the country today. Coastal waters off Mindanao are forecast to be slight to moderate, with wave heights of only 0.6 to 1.2 meters, and winds are expected to be light to moderate with variable direction.
Sea Conditions: Roughest Off Western Luzon
Mariners and fisherfolk operating in waters off Northern Luzon, Central Luzon, and the western side of Southern Luzon face the most hazardous conditions at sea today. PAGASA is forecasting moderate to strong southwesterly winds in these areas, with coastal wave heights reaching 1.2 to 2.8 meters — classified as moderate to rough. Small vessel operators and fishing boat crews are strongly urged to defer sea travel until conditions improve or to exercise extreme caution if travel cannot be avoided.
Elsewhere, the rest of Luzon and the Visayas will see light to moderate winds from the southeast to south, with wave heights of 0.6 to 1.8 meters — conditions considered slight to moderate. Mindanao's offshore waters remain the safest for maritime activity today.
Temperature and Humidity in the Capital
Based on data recorded at the PAGASA Weather Station in Science Garden, Diliman, Quezon City, temperatures over the 24-hour period ending at 8:00 PM yesterday peaked at 31.0°C at 1:00 PM and fell to a low of 25.0°C at 6:00 AM. Relative humidity swung between a high of 95% and a low of 63%, consistent with the heavy atmospheric moisture characteristic of habagat season.
PAGASA noted that the elevated humidity combined with breaks in cloud cover could make the heat feel more oppressive than the thermometer suggests, especially across densely built urban areas like Metro Manila.
Sunrise, Sunset, and Moon Data for Metro Manila
For reference, PAGASA reports that the sun will rise today at 5:26 AM and set at 6:23 PM. The moon is scheduled to rise at 8:56 PM and set at 7:29 AM, with a lunar illumination of 91% — very close to a full moon phase.
What Residents Should Do Today
PAGASA's advisory places the responsibility on individuals, families, and communities to stay informed and act prudently throughout the day. The weather bureau recommends the following measures for those in affected areas:
- Never attempt to cross flooded roads, rivers, or low-lying bridges — even when the water level appears manageable.
- Residents living near slopes, riverbanks, or ravines must be ready to evacuate immediately upon instruction from barangay officials or local authorities.
- Fishermen and seafarers — particularly those operating in the western waters of Luzon — should check PAGASA's latest coastal bulletins before setting out.
- Prepare and keep accessible an emergency go-bag with essential documents, medicines, and supplies.
- Stay connected with neighbors and community leaders, and follow updates from local government units as conditions evolve.
The public may access the latest official weather bulletins and updates through the PAGASA website at pagasa.dost.gov.ph. PAGASA's Weather and Flood Forecasting Center continues to monitor atmospheric systems affecting the country and will issue updated advisories as needed.
Originally reported by: breakingnewsnegros.com