CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga — Pampanga is expected to experience heavy rainfall beginning Tuesday as Tropical Storm Luis and the southwest monsoon, locally known as Habagat, continue to enhance rainy conditions across much of Luzon, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
In Weather Advisory No. 4 issued at 5 p.m. Sunday, PAGASA placed Pampanga among the provinces expected to receive 50 to 100 millimeters of rainfall from Tuesday afternoon until Wednesday afternoon, with weather conditions likely influenced by both the tropical cyclone and the southwest monsoon.
The advisory forecasts heavy rainfall over Pampanga, Zambales, Bataan, Tarlac, Bulacan, Metro Manila, Cavite, Batangas, Rizal, and several other provinces as Tropical Storm Luis moves through the Philippine Area of Responsibility while strengthening the southwest monsoon.
Before Pampanga’s expected rainfall begins, PAGASA said provinces including Pangasinan, Cagayan, Isabela, Quirino, Zambales, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, Bulacan, Aurora, and Quezon may experience 50 to 100 millimeters of rain from Sunday through Monday afternoon due to the direct effects of Tropical Storm Luis.
From Monday afternoon to Tuesday afternoon, the same rainfall range is forecast for Pampanga together with La Union, Pangasinan, Benguet, Isabela, Quirino, Aurora, Nueva Ecija, Bulacan, Tarlac, Zambales, Bataan, Metro Manila, Cavite, Batangas, and Rizal.
By Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday afternoon, PAGASA expects the southwest monsoon to become the dominant weather system affecting parts of Luzon and Western Visayas. During this period, Zambales, Bataan, and Occidental Mindoro may receive 100 to 200 millimeters of rainfall, while Pampanga, Tarlac, Bulacan, Metro Manila, Cavite, Rizal, Batangas, La Union, Pangasinan, Benguet, and Antique remain under a forecast of 50 to 100 millimeters.
State weather forecasters cautioned that rainfall totals could become significantly higher over mountainous and elevated terrain. Areas that have already experienced persistent rains in recent days may also face an increased risk of flooding and rain-induced landslides due to saturated ground conditions.
Local disaster risk reduction and management offices have been advised to continue monitoring weather developments and implement measures necessary to protect lives and property as conditions evolve.
PAGASA also reminded the public that a Weather Advisory differs from a Heavy Rainfall Warning.
A Weather Advisory provides a broader provincial-level outlook covering approximately 24 hours and is intended to inform the public of potential weather hazards over a wider area. It serves as an early notice that heavy rains may develop but does not provide precise short-term rainfall estimates.
A Heavy Rainfall Warning, on the other hand, covers only the next three hours and is issued at the municipal or city level using Doppler radar and real-time rainfall observations. Because it reflects actual weather conditions, it is considered more accurate for immediate flood monitoring and emergency response.
Authorities also emphasized that announcements regarding class suspensions and other localized emergency measures are generally based on Heavy Rainfall Warnings issued by the appropriate PAGASA Regional Services Division rather than provincial Weather Advisories.
PAGASA said it will continue monitoring Tropical Storm Luis and the southwest monsoon and issue updated advisories should weather conditions change.
