Storm Maymay crosses Northern Luzon: What you need to know
MANILA, Philippines - Tropical Storm Maymay (Kujira) began crossing Northern Luzon early Thursday morning, August 6, after making landfall in Magsingal, Ilocos Sur at 2 am. As of 7 am, it was near Bangued, Abra, moving east at just 10 kilometers per hour, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
Maymay slightly weakened before dawn, with maximum sustained winds dropping to 65 km/h from a peak of 75 km/h. Gustiness is currently up to 110 km/h. PAGASA expects it to weaken into a tropical depression, then a low pressure area, by Thursday. Afterward, it will move southeastward and merge into the larger circulation of Typhoon Dolphin, which remains outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR).
Which areas face the heaviest rain?
No provinces are seeing torrential rain from Maymay anymore, but moderate to intense rain may persist in Northern and Central Luzon. Here is the breakdown:
- Heavy to intense rain (100-200 mm): Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Benguet
- Moderate to heavy rain (50-100 mm): Ilocos Norte, Abra, Apayao, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Kalinga, Nueva Vizcaya, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, Zambales, Bataan, Pampanga, Bulacan
Rain from the southwest monsoon (habagat) is expected to continue for at least three days. On Thursday, Metro Manila, Rizal, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, and Occidental Mindoro may see moderate to heavy rain. On Friday, heavy rain is forecast for Occidental Mindoro, with moderate rain in several other provinces. Saturday brings heavy rain to Zambales, Bataan, La Union, Benguet, and Occidental Mindoro.
What about wind signals and coastal warnings?
Some portions of the Cordillera Administrative Region were upgraded to Signal No. 2 as of 8 am Thursday. Areas under Signal No. 2 include Ilocos Norte, parts of Ilocos Sur, western Apayao, Abra, and parts of Kalinga and Mountain Province. Signal No. 1 covers La Union, northwestern Pangasinan, and several other provinces. Even areas without a wind signal may experience strong to gale-force gusts until Saturday due to the southwest monsoon.
Coastal warnings remain in effect. Up to very rough seas, with waves up to 4.5 meters high, are expected off the seaboards of Ilocos Sur, La Union, and Pangasinan, as well as the western seaboard of Ilocos Norte and northern Batanes. Smaller vessels should avoid sailing in these areas.
What about Typhoon Dolphin?
Typhoon Dolphin was last spotted 1,450 kilometers east northeast of extreme Northern Luzon at 3 am Thursday, moving west northwest at 20 km/h. It still has maximum sustained winds of 150 km/h and gustiness up to 185 km/h. At its peak, Dolphin was a super typhoon. It may or may not enter PAR, but it will enhance the southwest monsoon. If it enters, it would be given the local name Neneng.
PAGASA earlier said two to four tropical cyclones could develop within or enter PAR in August. As of now, Maymay is the Philippines' 13th tropical cyclone for 2026, and the second for August, coming shortly after Tropical Depression Luis.
Stay safe, kababayan. Keep an eye on the skies and listen to local authorities. Floods and landslides remain a threat in affected areas.