How the 2025 ‘habagat' compares with past southwest monsoon onslaughts

Intense to torrential rainfall from July 20 to 23, fueled by the tropical cyclone-enhanced southwest monsoon (habagat), was comparable to some of the most notable habagat events in recent history, particularly in 2012, 2013, 2018, 2021, and 2024, data from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) showed.

- By ELLALYN DE VERA-RUIZ

PAGASA senior weather specialist Remedios Ciervo said during a climate forum on Tuesday, July 29, that the 2025 habagat, driven by Severe Tropical Storm Crising (Wipha), Tropical Storm Dante (Francisco), and Typhoon Emong (Co-may), brought 845.6 millimeters of rain as recorded in Subic Bay, Zambales, from July 20 to 23.

Based on PAGASA data, this ranks as the fifth most intense habagat episode among recent notable southwest monsoon events in terms of rainfall.

July 2025 rainfall exceeds normal

Between July 1 and 28, 10 PAGASA stations recorded rainfall totals exceeding 1,000 millimeters, well above their normal averages for July.

Subic Bay had the highest rainfall at 1,798.6 millimeters, significantly more than its normal 456.5 millimeters.

Abucay, Bataan, a newly established station, followed with 1,651.6 millimeters.