ESTER Maintains Strength Over Southern Taiwan, Habagat to Bring Rains and Gusty Conditions Over CAR, Parts of Luzon

Excerpt:Tropical Depression ESTER maintained its strength while traversing Southern Taiwan on Friday, June 5, 2026. PAGASA said the enhanced Southwest Monsoon may bring heavy rains and strong to gale-force gusts over the Cordillera Administrative Region and several parts of Luzon today and in the coming days.

Tropical Depression ESTER maintained its strength as it traversed Southern Taiwan, according to the Tropical Cyclone Bulletin issued by PAGASA at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, June 5, 2026.

As of the latest bulletin, the center of ESTER was estimated at 230 kilometers north northwest of Itbayat, Batanes. It was moving northeastward at 15 kilometers per hour.

ESTER has maximum sustained winds of 45 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 55 kilometers per hour.

PAGASA said ESTER is forecast to move northeastward while traversing Taiwan today. It is expected to continue moving generally northeastward and exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility by Saturday morning, June 6, before heading toward southern Japan.

ESTER may maintain its strength today while crossing Taiwan. Afterward, it is expected to steadily intensify and may reach tropical storm category by Saturday while over the East China Sea.

Forecast Track of ESTER

Based on PAGASA’s forecast track, ESTER is expected to be located at the following positions:

  • June 5, 2026, 8:00 p.m. – 335 kilometers north of Itbayat, Batanes
  • June 6, 2026, 8:00 a.m. – 585 kilometers north northeast of Itbayat, Batanes, outside PAR
  • June 6, 2026, 8:00 p.m. – 940 kilometers north northeast of Extreme Northern Luzon, outside PAR

PAGASA emphasized that heavy rainfall and severe winds may still be experienced in areas outside the landfall point and the forecast confidence cone. The track may also still shift within the limit of the forecast confidence cone.

TCWS No. 1 Raised Over Batanes

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 is currently hoisted over:

  • Batanes

Minimal to minor impacts from strong winds are possible in areas under Wind Signal No. 1.

PAGASA said local winds may be slightly stronger in coastal and upland or mountainous areas exposed to winds. Winds may be less strong in areas sheltered from the prevailing wind direction.

Heavy Rainfall Outlook Due to ESTER and Habagat

Based on Weather Advisory No. 25 issued by PAGASA at 5:00 a.m. on June 5, heavy rainfall may be experienced in several areas due to Tropical Cyclone ESTER and the Southwest Monsoon.

Due to Tropical Cyclone ESTER, Batanes may experience 50 to 100 millimeters of rainfall today. PAGASA said localized flooding is possible, especially in areas that are urbanized, low-lying, or near rivers. Landslides are also possible in highly susceptible areas.

Due to the Southwest Monsoon, several areas in Northern Luzon may experience heavy rainfall from today until Sunday, June 7.

Today, June 5, 100 to 200 millimeters of rainfall may affect:

  • Ilocos Sur
  • La Union

According to PAGASA, rainfall of this amount may cause numerous flooding events, especially in areas that are highly or very highly susceptible to flooding, including low-lying, urbanized, or river-adjacent areas. Landslides may also occur in moderate to highly susceptible areas.

Today, June 5, 50 to 100 millimeters of rainfall may affect:

  • Ilocos Norte
  • Pangasinan
  • Abra
  • Benguet
  • Zambales

Tomorrow, June 6, 50 to 100 millimeters of rainfall may affect:

  • Ilocos Norte
  • Ilocos Sur
  • La Union
  • Pangasinan
  • Abra
  • Benguet
  • Zambales

On Sunday, June 7, 50 to 100 millimeters of rainfall may affect:

  • Ilocos Norte
  • Ilocos Sur

PAGASA said forecast rainfall may be higher in mountainous and elevated areas. Impacts may also be worsened in areas that have already received significant rainfall.

For Benguet, the rainfall outlook is important due to the province’s mountainous terrain, where prolonged rains may increase the risk of landslides, mudslides, rockslides, and flash floods, especially in areas near slopes, rivers, creeks, and road cuts.

Habagat to Bring Gusty Conditions Over CAR, Parts of Luzon

Although ESTER is moving away from the country, the Southwest Monsoon or Habagat will continue to bring strong to gale-force gusts over several areas, especially in coastal and upland areas exposed to winds.

Today, June 5, strong to gale-force gusts may affect:

  • Ilocos Region
  • Cordillera Administrative Region
  • Cagayan Valley
  • Aurora
  • Zambales
  • Tarlac
  • Bataan
  • Pampanga
  • Metro Manila
  • CALABARZON
  • Occidental Mindoro
  • Oriental Mindoro

Tomorrow, June 6, strong to gale-force gusts may affect:

  • Batanes
  • Babuyan Islands
  • Ilocos Region
  • Cordillera Administrative Region
  • Quirino
  • Nueva Vizcaya
  • Aurora
  • Isabela
  • Zambales
  • Bataan
  • Metro Manila
  • CALABARZON
  • Occidental Mindoro

On Sunday, June 7, strong to gale-force gusts may affect:

  • Batanes
  • Babuyan Islands
  • Ilocos Region
  • Abra
  • Apayao
  • Zambales

Residents in the Cordillera Administrative Region, especially those in upland and exposed areas, are advised to secure loose outdoor items and monitor further weather updates.

Coastal Waters

PAGASA said up to rough seas may be experienced over the following coastal waters within the next 24 hours:

  • Up to 4.0 meters: Western seaboard of Batanes
  • Up to 3.5 meters: Western seaboard of Babuyan Islands and northern seaboard of Ilocos Norte
  • Up to 3.0 meters: Remaining seaboards of Batanes and Ilocos Norte, and the seaboard of Ilocos Sur

Mariners of small seacrafts, including all types of motorbancas, are advised not to venture out to sea under these conditions, especially if inexperienced or operating ill-equipped vessels.

Up to moderate seas may also affect the following coastal waters:

  • Up to 2.5 meters: Remaining seaboards of Babuyan Islands and the western seaboards of La Union, Pangasinan, and Zambales
  • Up to 2.0 meters: Seaboards of mainland Cagayan and Isabela, and the western seaboards of Bataan, Cavite, Batangas, and Occidental Mindoro including Lubang Island

Mariners of motorbancas and similarly sized vessels are advised to take precautionary measures while venturing out to sea and, if possible, avoid navigation under these conditions.

Other coastal waters have forecast wave heights of less than 2.0 meters.

Public Advised to Monitor Updates

The public is advised to continue monitoring official updates from PAGASA, especially as ESTER continues moving northeastward and the enhanced Southwest Monsoon affects several areas in Luzon.

PAGASA advised the public and disaster risk reduction and management offices concerned to take necessary measures to protect life and property. PAGASA Regional Services Divisions may also issue Heavy Rainfall Warnings, Rainfall Advisories, Thunderstorm Advisories, and other severe weather information specific to their areas of responsibility.

The bulletin is valid until the next advisory to be issued at 5:00 p.m. today.

Residents in areas affected by strong winds, heavy rains, and rough seas are advised to take precautionary measures and follow the guidance of local disaster risk reduction and management offices.

Source: PAGASA

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