MANILA, Philippines — Faithful Filipinos heading to churches this Ash Wednesday, February 18, 2026, are advised to keep their umbrellas handy as state weather bureau PAGASA forecasts cloudy skies and scattered rain showers across several regions of the country.
The weather disturbance is being attributed to two prevailing systems: the Northeast Monsoon (Amihan), which has recently strengthened over Luzon, and the Easterlies, or warm winds from the Pacific Ocean, affecting the southern part of the archipelago.
According to PAGASA weather specialist Chenel Dominguez, the northeast monsoon is expected to bring particularly cloudy skies with rain showers to the eastern seaboard of Luzon, including Cagayan, Isabela, Aurora, Quezon, and Camarines Norte. Residents in these areas should prepare for a damp start to the Lenten season.
Meanwhile, Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon will experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated light rains. Dominguez noted that while the morning may remain relatively clear for some, any rain showers are most likely to occur in the afternoon or evening.
In the south, the easterlies will bring a different set of conditions. The Davao Region and Caraga are braced for cloudy skies with scattered rains and thunderstorms. The rest of Mindanao can expect localized thunderstorms and isolated rain showers throughout the day.
Despite the rain, PAGASA confirmed that it is not currently monitoring any low-pressure areas (LPA) or significant weather disturbances within or outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR). While the “Amihan” may bring a slight chill to the air in Northern Luzon, most of the country will continue to experience the typical humid conditions associated with the easterlies.
Churchgoers are encouraged to check local weather updates before heading out for the traditional marking of the ashes, especially in coastal and mountainous areas where rain may be more persistent.