Habagat to bring rains as Pagasa monitors possible LPA

Pagasa weather specialist Grace Castañeda-Carpio reports on Monday, July 20, 2026, that the state weather bureau is monitoring cloud clusters east of the Visayas and Mindanao that could develop into a low-pressure area within the next 24 hours. — Screengrab from DOST-PAGASA/Facebook MANILA, Philippines – The southwest monsoon, locally known as habagat, will continue to bring isolated rain showers and thunderstorms over large parts of the country, while the state weather bureau monitors a weather disturbance that could develop into a low-pressure area (LPA) within the next 24 hours. In its weather forecast on Monday, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said the southwest monsoon remains the dominant weather system affecting the western section of the country. READ: Isolated rains expected in Metro Manila, other areas on July 20 Article continues after this advertisement Pagasa Weather Specialist Grace Castañeda-Carpio said satellite imagery showed cloud clusters east of the Visayas and Mindanao, although these have yet to develop into a distinct circulation. “At present, there is still no defined circulation in these cloud clusters, but we are seeing a high chance that a low-pressure area (LPA) could form in this area within the next 24 hours. That is why we are continuously monitoring the situation and encourage the public to stay updated on the advisories that Pagasa will issue.” Castañeda-Carpio also said Pagasa’s tropical cyclone threat assessment indicates a low to moderate chance of tropical cyclone formation over the Philippine Sea east of the Visayas and Mindanao from July 20 to 26. She added that, if the weather disturbance develops, forecast models indicate it could move northwestward and eventually pass over Northern Luzon. Pagasa is also monitoring another potential weather disturbance outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) but within its monitoring domain, which may enhance the southwest monsoon later this week. Article continues after this advertisement Rains expected in parts of PH For the next 24 hours, the state weather bureau said Metro Manila, Mindanao, the Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, MIMAROPA, Western Visayas, the Negros Island Region, Batanes, the Babuyan Islands, Zambales, Bataan, Cavite and Batangas will experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms due to the southwest monsoon. Article continues after this advertisement The rest of the country will also have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms caused by localized thunderstorms. Pagasa warned that severe thunderstorms may trigger flash floods or landslides in affected areas. Castañeda-Carpio said rainfall is expected to become more frequent over Palawan, Western Visayas, the Negros Island Region, the Zamboanga Peninsula, the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, and Soccsksargen beginning Tuesday afternoon as the southwest monsoon continues to affect the country. She also said rainfall could become more widespread in the coming days, particularly over the western sections of the country, if the southwest monsoon is enhanced by the possible weather disturbance. Sea conditions remain manageable Meanwhile, Pagasa said sea conditions will remain generally manageable across the country, with no gale warning in effect. Light to moderate winds will prevail over the Visayas, Mindanao and the western section of Luzon, with slight to moderate coastal waters measuring 0.6 to 1.8 meters. Similar wind and sea conditions are expected over the rest of Luzon. Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again. Your subscription has been successful. Pagasa advised the public, particularly those living in areas prone to flooding and landslides, to continue monitoring its official weather forecasts and advisories as weather conditions may change in the coming days. /jpv