PAGASA declares start of 2025 rainy season

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PAGASA says 'scattered to widespread rainfall has been observed' due to the southwest monsoon, signifying the onset of the rainy season

MANILA, Philippines – Three days after announcing that the southwest monsoon or habagat is already affecting parts of the country, the weather bureau declared the start of the rainy season on Monday, June 2.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said “scattered to widespread rainfall has been observed in the past five days due to the southwest monsoon.”

To determine whether the rainy season has begun, PAGASA monitors data from 13 stations in the western portions of Luzon and the Visayas.

At least seven of the 13 stations, or more than 50%, should have a total of at least 25 millimeters of rain in a five-day period, with at least 1 mm for three consecutive days.

Prevailing winds should also have “westerly components…over the western Philippines.”

PAGASA’s declaration is right on time, as the rainy season usually begins in the second half of May or first half of June, and lasts until November.

For June to November, the weather bureau estimated that 11 to 19 tropical cyclones may form within or enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility. There have been no tropical cyclones in 2025, so far.

PAGASA made its announcement on the southwest monsoon last Friday, May 30.

“The public and all concerned agencies are advised to take precautionary measures against the adverse impacts of the rainy season, habagat, and other climate and weather events,” the weather bureau said on Monday.

While the rainy season is underway, there may be breaks in rainfall “that extend over a few days or weeks, referred to as monsoon breaks,” according to PAGASA. – Rappler.com