Track and intensity forecast image of Tropical Storm Pilandok at 5 a.m. on September 2, 2026. Image from DOST / Pagasa
MANILA, Philippines — Tropical Storm Pilandok slightly decelerated while moving east-northeastward over the Philippine Sea, while the southwest monsoon, or habagat, will continue to prevail over Luzon and Visayas on Wednesday, according to the state weather bureau.
In its 5 a.m. weather forecast, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said that weather specialist Chenel Dominguez reported Pilandok was last estimated to be 1,205 kilometers east-northeast of extreme northern Luzon as of 4 a.m.
It slightly decelerated as it moved east-northeastward at 10 kilometers per hour (kph), compared with its previous speed of 15 kph. It maintained its strength, with maximum sustained winds of 65 kph and gustiness of up to 80 kph.
Dominguez maintained Pagasa’s earlier forecast that Pilandok will not directly affect the country as it continues to be far from our landmass. Meanwhile, she said that the habagat will bring concentrated rains over the western section of the country.
She added that while Metro Manila and nearby areas may experience fair weather conditions, isolated rainshowers and localized thunderstorms are still possible in the afternoon and evening.
Hot and humid conditions with chances of localized thunderstorms are expected over Visayas and Mindanao.
She also shared that the habagat will bring strong to gale-force gusts over these areas:
- From Wednesday until Thursday (September 3): Most of Luzon and Visayas, Zamboanga del Norte, Misamis Occidental, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Oriental, Camiguin, Dinagat Islands, Davao Occidental, and Davao Oriental
Weather disturbances outside the PAR
Meanwhile, Dominguez shared that two weather disturbances are being monitored outside the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR).
Tropical Storm Saudel, formerly called Obet, was last located 560 kilometers west of Itbayat, Batanes. Dominguez said that it currently has no direct effect in the country and has a low chance of re-entering the PAR.