Pilandok May Intensify Into Tropical Storm; Habagat Rains Continue Over Northern Luzon

Tropical Depression Pilandok maintained its strength as it moved north northwestward over the Philippine Sea, according to PAGASA’s Tropical Cyclone Bulletin issued at 5:00 PM today, August 31, 2026.

PAGASA forecasts Pilandok to intensify into a tropical storm by Tuesday, September 1, although it remains far from the Philippine landmass and is less likely to make landfall in the country.

Meanwhile, the Southwest Monsoon or Habagat continues to bring rains over Northern Luzon, including Benguet, while portions of Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur remain under a Yellow Rainfall Warning.

Pilandok Maintains Strength

As of 4:00 PM, the center of Tropical Depression Pilandok was estimated at 1,145 km east of Extreme Northern Luzon.

Pilandok has maximum sustained winds of 55 km/h near the center, gustiness of up to 70 km/h, and a central pressure of 1000 hPa.

The tropical depression is moving north northwestward at 10 km/h, with strong winds extending outward up to 450 km from its center.

No Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal is currently hoisted.

Pilandok May Become Almost Stationary

PAGASA said Pilandok may become almost stationary over the Philippine Sea east of Extreme Northern Luzon during the next 36 hours before eventually moving generally north northwestward.

The tropical cyclone is forecast to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility by Wednesday afternoon or evening, September 2.

Pilandok remains less likely to make landfall over the Philippines and is forecast to stay far from the Philippine landmass.

However, PAGASA emphasized that the forecast track is highly uncertain and may change in succeeding bulletins.

Pilandok May Become a Tropical Storm

Pilandok is forecast to intensify into a tropical storm by Tuesday, September 1.

It is then expected to remain a tropical storm as it moves toward southern Japan.

Habagat Rains Continue Over Northern Luzon

Meanwhile, the Southwest Monsoon continues to bring rains over parts of Northern Luzon.

Under PAGASA’s Heavy Rainfall Warning No. 23 issued at 5:00 PM, portions of Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur are under a Yellow Rainfall Warning.

A Yellow Rainfall Warning means flooding and landslides are possible in flood-prone and landslide-prone areas.

Light to moderate, and at times heavy rains, are also being experienced over:

• Benguet
• Abra
• Portions of La Union
• Portions of Pangasinan
• Calayan, Santa Praxedes and Claveria in Cagayan
• Rest of Ilocos Sur
• Apayao

These rains may persist within the next two to three hours and could affect nearby areas.

Similar conditions are expected over portions of Ifugao, the rest of La Union and Pangasinan, Batanes, portions of Cagayan, Mountain Province, Kalinga, portions of Nueva Vizcaya, Dipaculao in Aurora and Nagtipunan in Quirino within the next two to three hours.

The next Heavy Rainfall Warning is expected at 8:00 PM today.

Strong to Gale-Force Gusts Due to Habagat

The Southwest Monsoon will also bring strong to gale-force gusts, particularly in coastal and upland areas exposed to winds.

Today, August 31: Most of the country.

Tuesday to Wednesday, September 1 to 2: Most of Luzon and Visayas, as well as portions of Mindanao.

Very Rough Seas Expected

PAGASA is also warning of very rough seas over portions of Northern Luzon.

Waves of up to 4.5 meters are forecast over the western seaboards of the Babuyan Islands and Ilocos Norte.

Under these conditions, PAGASA said sea travel is risky for all types or tonnage of vessels. Mariners are advised to remain in port or, if already underway, seek shelter or safe harbor as soon as possible until winds and waves subside.

Rough seas with waves of up to 4 meters are also forecast over the seaboards of Batanes and northern Ilocos Sur and the northern seaboard of the Babuyan Islands.

Waves of up to 3.5 meters are expected over the seaboards of northern La Union and Zambales, the western seaboards of Pangasinan and Bataan, and the remaining seaboard of Ilocos Sur.

Continue Monitoring Weather Conditions

Although Pilandok remains far from the Philippine landmass and is less likely to make landfall, hazardous weather associated with the Southwest Monsoon continues to affect portions of the country.

Residents in areas susceptible to flooding, flash floods, landslides, mudslides and rockslides are advised to take precautionary measures and closely monitor succeeding PAGASA warnings.

The next Tropical Cyclone Bulletin for #PilandokPH will be issued at 11:00 PM today, August 31.