Dangerous weather conditions are spreading across wide areas of the Philippines as the Southwest Monsoon — locally known as habagat — tightens its grip on Luzon and the Visayas, the government's weather bureau warned early Monday morning. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) released its 24-hour public weather forecast at 5:00 AM on September 7, 2026, placing communities from the Ilocos Region down to the Visayas on notice for potentially hazardous weather.
PAGASA reported that a tropical cyclone located outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) is compounding the effects of the monsoon, further intensifying weather patterns across the archipelago. While the cyclone has not entered the country's weather domain, its presence is a significant factor in the strengthening of the habagat system influencing Philippine skies.
Which Areas Are Most at Risk
The hardest-hit provinces, according to PAGASA's bulletin, are Zambales, Bataan, Batangas, and Occidental Mindoro, where residents can expect occasional to heavy rain driven by Southwest winds. These provinces face the most immediate danger of flooding and landslides during the forecast period.
A broader band of areas — including Metro Manila, the Ilocos Region, Abra, Benguet, Antique, Aklan, Capiz, Iloilo, and the administrative regions of CALABARZON and MIMAROPA — will experience mostly cloudy skies with scattered to isolated rain showers. Winds in these areas are also coming from the Southwest, and PAGASA cautioned that flash floods and landslides remain possible in low-lying and mountainous terrain throughout the day.
For the remainder of Luzon and the Visayas, the weather agency's bulletin indicated isolated rain showers or thunderstorms are expected, also with Southwest winds. Flash floods and landslides may still occur in these zones, especially during severe thunderstorm episodes. Mindanao, by contrast, falls under a somewhat different weather pattern, with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms driven by Southeast winds — though flash floods and landslides remain a risk there as well during active storm cells.
Coastal and Maritime Advisories
PAGASA also flagged potentially hazardous sea conditions for fishermen and maritime operators across the country. Luzon's coastal waters are forecast to range from moderate to rough, with Southwest winds blowing at moderate to strong intensity — conditions that could pose serious risks to small fishing vessels and other watercraft.
Visayas coastal waters are expected to mirror conditions in Luzon, with similarly moderate to rough seas under the influence of Southwest winds. Maritime operators plying routes between the Visayas islands are advised to exercise heightened caution throughout the day. The rest of the country may experience relatively calmer slight to moderate sea conditions, though Southwest winds are still expected to blow at moderate strength.
The weather bureau's advisory effectively covers the full length of the Philippine coastline, underlining the widespread reach of the current monsoon system.
Metro Manila Temperature and Humidity Data
Conditions in the capital were recorded by the PAGASA Weather Station at Science Garden in Diliman, Quezon City. Based on the station's readings from the previous day, the temperature reached a maximum of 30.0°C at 3:00 PM and dipped to a minimum of 25.3°C at 7:00 AM — a relatively narrow range reflective of the thick cloud cover and moisture-laden air accompanying the monsoon.
Relative humidity was particularly high throughout the day, peaking at 97% at 8:00 AM before gradually easing during the afternoon hours. These conditions are consistent with the heavy moisture being transported by the Southwest Monsoon off the South China Sea and into the Philippine landmass.
Tidal and Sunrise Information for Metro Manila
According to PAGASA, citing tidal data sourced from the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA), high tide over Metro Manila is expected at 5:24 AM on September 7. Sunrise over the metro is scheduled for 5:44 AM, meaning coastal communities could experience high water conditions in near-darkness just before dawn — an additional concern for low-lying barangays near Manila Bay and riverine areas.
Residents in flood-prone areas of Metro Manila and nearby provinces are encouraged to monitor water levels in rivers and drainage systems, especially in the early morning hours when both high tide and monsoon-driven rainfall could combine to heighten inundation risks.
Public Safety Reminders
PAGASA has consistently reminded the public to remain alert and to heed local government advisories during periods of active monsoon activity. Communities situated near rivers, in low-lying coastal zones, or on steep slopes should prepare for rapid changes in weather intensity. The weather bureau encourages residents to keep emergency supplies ready and to follow evacuation orders promptly if local disaster risk reduction authorities issue them.
Fisherfolk and small boat operators are specifically urged to delay or cancel trips until sea conditions improve, particularly along Luzon and Visayas waters where wave heights and wind speeds are forecast at dangerous levels for light vessels. PAGASA's full weather bulletin and updates are available on the agency's official website and social media channels.
By the Numbers
- 30.0°C — peak temperature recorded at the PAGASA Science Garden station, logged at 3:00 PM the previous day
- 25.3°C — lowest temperature recorded at the same station, logged at 7:00 AM the previous day
- 97% — maximum relative humidity recorded at 8:00 AM the previous day
- 5:24 AM — expected high tide time over Metro Manila on September 7
- 5:44 AM — scheduled sunrise over Metro Manila on September 7
Why This Matters
The simultaneous influence of the Southwest Monsoon and an external tropical cyclone has created conditions ripe for flooding and landslides across multiple regions of the Philippines, from Luzon's coastal provinces down through the Visayas. Communities in affected areas face compounding risks — heavy rainfall, swollen rivers, rough seas, and early-morning high tides — that demand coordinated disaster preparedness. PAGASA's warnings are particularly urgent for maritime communities and residents in low-lying areas, where the combination of weather factors could rapidly escalate into life-threatening situations.
Source: PAGASA / DOST