Habagat brings scattered rains and thunderstorms to Mindanao

DAVAO CITY (June 11) -The southwest monsoon, locally known as “habagat,” continues to drench parts of the Philippines – including Mindanao – with periods of rain and thunderstorms. According to the state weather bureau PAGASA, Mindanao will experience cloudy skies with rain showers as the habagat persists. Residents in eastern and southeastern Mindanao should be alert: some areas are likely to see moderate to heavy rainfall at times, which could trigger flash floods or landslides in vulnerable locations. Other parts of the region can expect more isolated rain showers or localized thunderstorms, bringing brief downpours mainly in the afternoons or evenings.

Scattered Rains in Caraga and Davao Region

Areas in the Caraga region (e.g. Surigao and Agusan provinces) and the Davao Region are forecast to have cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms. These rains are caused by the intensified southwest monsoon and may occasionally become heav

PAGASA warns that moderate to heavy rainfall in these provinces could lead to flash floods or landslides, especially in low-lying or mountainous areas

Residents are advised to remain vigilant and monitor updates from local authorities, as rain intensity may vary throughout the day. If rainfall becomes torrential, it’s safest to stay indoors and avoid riversides or steep slopes due to possible rapid runoff and soil erosion.

Isolated Showers in Other Mindanao Areas

For the rest of Mindanao, weather conditions will be relatively more stable, though still influenced by the monsoon. Partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms will prevail over most provinces outside Caraga and Davao Region.

This means that while long sunny breaks are possible, short-lived thunderstorms or bursts of rain may occur, typically in the late afternoon or evening. Any thunderstorms that do form could still bring brief heavy rain and gusty winds, so communities should be mindful of the standard precautions. Localized flooding is not ruled out during severe thunderstorms, but in general the rainfall in these areas will be sporadic and localized. Most Mindanao locales will thus see a mix of humid, warm periods interspersed with quick showers or storms passing through.

Winds and Coastal Conditions in Mindanao

Despite the rain, wind conditions over Mindanao are expected to remain normal for the season. PAGASA’s forecast indicates light to moderate winds blowing from the southwest to south across Mindana

Consequently, coastal waters around Mindanao will be slight to moderate in terms of waves, which is generally safe for fishing boats and other small sea vessels. No gale warning has been raised for Mindanao’s coastlines as of this bulletin. In contrast, the western seaboards of Southern Luzon and Visayas are experiencing stronger monsoon winds (due to their proximity to the southwest monsoon’s core), resulting in moderate to rough seas in those areas

This means Mindanao’s western and southern coastal areas are relatively calmer, but mariners should still exercise usual caution during scattered thunderstorms, which can cause sudden gusts or wave swells.

Tropical Cyclone Update Outside PAR

Meanwhile, a tropical weather disturbance (a tropical cyclone or low-pressure area) remains outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) to the northwest of the country. As of the latest update, this system was spotted about 610 kilometers west of Iba, Zambales (over the West Philippine Sea). It is moving away from the Philippines, heading generally toward southern China and is not expected to make landfall or directly affect any part of the Philippines. PAGASA forecasters note, however, that this cyclone is slightly enhancing the southwest monsoon

This enhancement means the habagat’s rainbands are a bit more active, which contributes to the continued rains over Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Aside from the increased monsoon rain, the cyclone has no direct impact on Mindanao’s weather. Residents can take some reassurance that the storm is on its way out, but should still be prepared for monsoon-driven rains until the system fully moves farther away and the habagat weakens. 6

Mindanao’s weather in the immediate term will be shaped by the habagat. Expect scattered rains and thunderstorms especially in Caraga and Davao regions, with localized heavy downpours possible. Elsewhere across Mindanao, anticipate generally fair to cloudy skies with isolated showers, typical of monsoon season afternoons.