Pilandok slightly intensifies; southwest monsoon still bringing rain to Luzon, Western Visayas

WEATHER. Tropical Depression Pilandok and southwest monsoon inside the Philippine Area of Responsibility as of August 31, 2026, 6:50 am. Aside from Pilandok, two other tropical depressions outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility are enhancing the southwest monsoon Tropical Depression Pilandok has intensified and is located 1,120 km east of extreme Northern Luzon, with maximum winds of 55 km/h, expected to briefly become a tropical storm before weakening. PAGASA is also monitoring two other tropical depressions that are also enhancing the southwest monsoon, bringing heavy rainfall to various areas in Luzon and the western section of Visayas. Warnings have been issued for flash floods and landslides due to expected heavy rain, along with strong winds and rough seas affecting multiple areas. This is AI-generated. Read the article for full context. Report any errors. MANILA, Philippines – Tropical Depression Pilandok has slightly intensified on Monday morning, August 31, as it meanders over the Philippine Sea. In its 5 am bulletin on Monday, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Pilandok was located 1,120 kilometers east of extreme Northern Luzon and is almost stationary, with maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour and gustiness of up to 70 km/h. Pilandok will briefly intensify into a tropical storm by Tuesday afternoon, September 1, then weaken into a tropical depression by Wednesday morning and maintain that strength for the rest of its forecast period. Still less likely to make landfall as it remains far from the Philippine landmass, Pilandok will move generally north northwestward and is seen to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) by Wednesday evening, September 2, or Thursday early morning, September 3. Aside from Pilandok, PAGASA is monitoring two other low pressure areas outside of PAR, which have since developed into tropical depressions. The first is Tropical Depression Saudel (formerly referred to as Obet), which redeveloped into a tropical depression. It is currently 1,180 km west of extreme Northern Luzon, moving southward at 15 km/h with winds of 45 km/h and gustiness of up to 75 km/h. The second is another tropical depression, still unnamed as it is outside PAR, which was located 485 km/h west northwest of Itbayat, Batanes, moving north northeastward at 15 km/h with winds of 45 km/h and gustiness of up to 55 km/h. These tropical depressions are enhancing the southwest monsoon or habagat, which is affecting Luzon and Western Visayas. The southwest monsoon is bringing monsoon rain to Ilocos Region, Abra, Benguet, Bataan, Zambales, Tarlac, and Pampanga, and occasional rain to the rest of Cordillera Administrative Region, Batanes, Babuyan Islands, Nueva Vizcaya, Nueva Ecija, and Bulacan. Meanwhile, scattered rain and thunderstorms are expected in Metro Manila, Calabarzon, the rest of Cagayan Valley, Aurora, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Aklan, and Antique; and isolated rain showers or thunderstorms in the rest of Luzon, Negros Island Region, and the rest of Western Visayas. PAGASA also issued the following heavy rainfall outlook for the next three days due to the enhanced southwest monsoon: Monday, August 31: Heavy to intense rain (100-200 millimeters): Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Abra, Pangasinan, Benguet, Zambales, Bataan, Tarlac, and Pampanga Moderate to heavy rain (50-100 mm): Batanes, Apayao, Kalinga, Ifugao, Mountain Province, Nueva Vizcaya, Nueva Ecija, and Bulacan Tuesday, September 1: Heavy to intense rain (100-200 mm): Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Abra, Benguet, Zambales, and Bataan Moderate to heavy rain (50-100 mm): Pangasinan, Apayao, Kalinga, Ifugao, Mountain Province, Batanes, Tarlac, and Pampanga Wednesday, September 2: Heavy to intense rain (100-200 mm): Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Abra, and Benguet Moderate to heavy rain (50-100 mm): Batanes, Apayao, Kalinga, Ifugao, Mountain Province, La Union, Pangasinan, Tarlac, Pampanga, Zambales, and Bataan PAGASA warned against flash floods and landslides in these areas. The enhanced southwest monsoon is also bringing strong to gale-force gusts over the following areas, especially in coastal and upland areas exposed to winds: Monday, August 31: most of the country Tuesday, September 1, to Wednesday, September 2: most of Luzon and Visayas, Zamboanga del Norte, Misamis Occidental, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Oriental, Camiguin, Dinagat Islands, Davao Occidental, and Davao Oriental Moderate to very rough seas will also persist in the following areas: Up to very rough seas (travel is risky for all vessels) Western seaboard of Babuyan Islands — waves up to 4.5 meters high Up to rough seas (small vessels should not venture out to sea) Seaboards of Batanes and northern Ilocos Sur; the northern seaboard of Babuyan Islands; the western seaboard of Ilocos Norte — waves up to 4 meters high Remaining seaboard of Ilocos Sur; the seaboards of northern La Union, Zambales, and Lubang Islands; the western seaboards of Pangasinan and Bataan — waves up to 3.5 meters high Western seaboards of Cavite, Batangas, and northern Occidental Mindoro; the remaining seaboard of Ilocos Norte; the southern seaboard of Bataan; the northern and western seaboards of Kalayaan Islands — waves up to 3 meters high Up to moderate seas (small vessels should take precautionary measures or avoid sailing, if possible) Western seaboard of northern Palawan including Calamian Islands; the eastern seaboard of Davao Oriental; the remaining seaboards of Babuyan Islands and Kalayaan Islands; the remaining western seaboard of Occidental Mindoro — waves up to 2.5 meters high Seaboards of Isabela, Romblon, Caluya Islands, Cuyo Islands, Antique, Surigao del Sur, and Davao Occidental; the western seaboards of Burias Island and Negros Occidental; the remaining seaboards of Davao Oriental, Pangasinan, and La Union; the remaining western seaboard of mainland Palawan — waves up to 2 meters high Another low pressure outside PAR, located 3,105 km east of Eastern Visayas, has a “medium” chance of developing into a tropical depression. It is not directly affecting the country nor enhancing the southwest monsoon. – Rappler.com How does this make you feel? Loading