Monsoon and Localized Thunderstorms to Bring Rain Nationwide

According to PAGASA in its weather forecast issued at 4:00 AM on July 17, 2026, the Southwest Monsoon and localized thunderstorms are expected to bring partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers across the Philippines. The weather system is currently affecting extreme Northern Luzon, while a tropical depression remains far outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR). Residents in affected areas are advised to prepare for possible flash floods or landslides during severe thunderstorms.

While neighboring provinces in the Ilocos Region, such as Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur, are directly affected by the Southwest Monsoon, La Union falls under the coverage of localized thunderstorms. Towns across La Union, including the capital city of San Fernando and coastal areas like San Juan, can expect sudden afternoon or evening rains.

The state weather bureau highlighted several key details regarding the current weather systems:

• Tropical Depression Location: The storm is located 2,965 kilometers east of southeastern Mindanao, moving slowly northwestward outside the PAR. Still not directly affecting the country.
• Wind Speeds: The tropical depression maintains maximum sustained winds of 45 kilometers per hour near the center, with gustiness reaching up to 55 kilometers per hour.
• Coastal Waters: Coastal waters across the entire country, including the seaboards of the Ilocos Region, will remain slight to moderate with wave heights ranging from 0.6 to 2.1 meters.
• Wind Conditions: Winds will blow light to moderate from the southeast to southwest.

Local disaster risk reduction and management offices in La Union advise residents, especially those in low-lying and mountainous areas, to monitor local weather updates. PAGASA emphasizes that while the rains are isolated, severe thunderstorms can still trigger sudden hazards like localized flooding.

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SOURCE: PAGASA