Northern Luzon communities are bracing for a direct hit as Tropical Storm Maymay — known internationally as Kujira — churned across the West Philippine Sea on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, with forecasters warning of gale-force winds, dangerous surf, and the heightened risk of flooding and landslides before the day is over.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) confirmed in its early-morning advisory that the storm is expected to come ashore somewhere along the Ilocos Sur or La Union coastline, most likely during the afternoon or evening hours of Wednesday.
Storm Position and Strength as of Early Wednesday
PAGASA's 5:00 a.m. bulletin placed Maymay's center approximately 170 kilometers west northwest of Bacnotan, La Union. The weather bureau noted that the storm was tracking southeastward at a slow pace, with its strong-wind field extending outward as far as 180 kilometers from the center of circulation.
Maymay originally developed from a low pressure area situated off La Union at 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 4. Its formation makes it the second tropical cyclone to organize within the Philippine Area of Responsibility this month alone, and the 13th named storm to enter or develop inside PAR for the entire year of 2026.
Wind Signal No. 2 in Effect for Key Northern Luzon Localities
In response to the approaching storm, PAGASA hoisted Wind Signal No. 2 over selected areas of Northern Luzon. Under this signal level, gale-force winds ranging between 62 and 88 kilometers per hour are forecast to arrive within 24 hours of bulletin issuance, carrying a minor to moderate threat to life and property.
According to PAGASA, the following localities fall under Wind Signal No. 2:
- Central and southern Ilocos Sur, including the cities of Vigan and Candon
- Northern and central La Union, including San Fernando City
- The northwestern Pangasinan towns of Anda, Bolinao, and Bani
- Southwestern Abra, including the provincial capital Bangued
- Western Mountain Province municipalities of Besao and Tadian
- Northwestern Benguet, including the municipality of Mankayan
Broader Signal No. 1 Coverage Stretches Across Luzon
A much wider swath of Northern and Central Luzon falls under the lower Wind Signal No. 1, which signals a minimal to minor threat from strong winds. PAGASA listed Signal No. 1 areas as encompassing Ilocos Norte, the remaining sections of Ilocos Sur, the entirety of La Union, Pangasinan, Abra, Mountain Province, and Benguet, along with Apayao, Kalinga, Ifugao, Cagayan, Isabela, Quirino, and Nueva Vizcaya.
The state weather bureau further noted that portions of Zambales, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, and Aurora are likewise under Signal No. 1 as the storm's reach extends southward through the Central Luzon region.
Expected Timeline: Landfall Through Rapid Weakening
PAGASA projected that Maymay will cross the Northern Luzon coastline — specifically over Ilocos Sur or La Union — on Wednesday afternoon or evening. Once onshore, the storm is forecast to cut through the landmass of Northern and Central Luzon during Thursday, August 6.
The weather agency said Maymay is likely to degrade into a tropical depression by the morning of Thursday, August 6. A further deterioration into a remnant low pressure area is projected by Thursday afternoon or evening as the system loses energy over land.
Rough Seas Shut Down Maritime Traffic Along Western Luzon
PAGASA has issued a gale warning covering the western seaboard of Northern Luzon. The weather bureau warned that wave heights off the coasts of Ilocos Sur, La Union, and Pangasinan could climb to as high as 4.5 meters, making sea conditions extremely hazardous for all vessel types and tonnages.
The state weather agency directed all mariners to remain at port or seek safe anchorage, and advised against any sea travel until the rough conditions subside and the gale warning is lifted.
Southwest Monsoon to Amplify Hazardous Weather Beyond the Storm Track
PAGASA warned that Maymay's interaction with the prevailing Southwest Monsoon will significantly expand the geographic reach of dangerous weather on Wednesday. Strong to gale-force gusts driven by the monsoon are expected to sweep across most of Luzon and the Visayas — well beyond the immediate storm path.
According to the weather bureau, several Mindanao provinces will also feel the combined effects of the monsoon and the storm's outer circulation, including Surigao del Norte, Dinagat Islands, Misamis Occidental, Camiguin, Lanao del Norte, Sarangani, Davao Occidental, and Davao Oriental.
PAGASA added that gusty and unsettled conditions are expected to persist across most of the country through Thursday and into Friday, as both the storm's remnants and the reinforced Southwest Monsoon continue to affect the archipelago.
Residents in Flood- and Landslide-Prone Areas Urged to Stay Alert
The weather bureau called on residents living in areas known to be susceptible to flooding and landslides to keep close watch on official updates and to comply promptly with any evacuation orders issued by their local government officials. PAGASA said its next weather bulletin following the 5:00 a.m. advisory was scheduled to be released at 8:00 a.m. on Wednesday.
Authorities emphasized that the combination of direct storm winds, monsoon-amplified rainfall, and treacherous surf creates a compounding risk environment for communities across multiple regions simultaneously.
By the Numbers
- 170 km — distance of Maymay's center west northwest of Bacnotan, La Union, as of 5:00 a.m. Wednesday, August 5
- 180 km — outward radius of the storm's strong-wind field from its center
- 62–88 kph — wind speed range expected under Wind Signal No. 2 areas within 24 hours
- 4.5 meters — projected maximum wave height off the coasts of Ilocos Sur, La Union, and Pangasinan
- 13th — Maymay's count as the 13th tropical cyclone to form or enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility in 2026
- August 6 — date by which PAGASA expects the storm to degrade into a low pressure area
Why This Matters
Tropical Storm Maymay's impending landfall places several densely populated urban centers in Northern Luzon — among them Vigan, Candon, and San Fernando City — directly in the path of gale-force winds and storm-driven rainfall. With wave heights potentially reaching 4.5 meters along the western Luzon seaboard, the risk of maritime casualties is considerable, and communities in low-lying or mountainous terrain face compounded threats from both flooding and landslides. The monsoon's interaction with the storm further extends hazardous weather to the Visayas and parts of Mindanao, meaning the storm's impact is effectively national in scope even as its center remains confined to Northern Luzon.
Source: PAGASA / breakingnewsnegor.com