The Philippines experiences an average of 12 to 24 tornadoes annually, although most of them are relatively weak and short-lived. The country has one of the highest frequencies of reported tornadoes in Asia, alongside China and Japan. They tend to be mild compared to the strong tornadoes in the United States. Most tornadoes range between EF0 and EF1 intensities, with the rarest having EF2 intensities in the Enhanced Fujita scale (EF scale), although some are identified as EFU due to insufficient data. To date, there is only one tornado in the country's recorded history that had received an EF3 rating. Waterspouts are also a general occurrence in the area, but in some instances, these can classify as a tornado once it reaches land. Tornadoes are common during severe thunderstorms influenced by the southwest monsoon and occasionally spawned by typhoons.
Etymology The word for 'tornado' or 'whirlwind' in most Philippine languages, including Tagalog, is buhawi or ipuipo (sometimes spelled as ipoipo or ipo-ipo) with both referring to a strong, rotating column of wind. In Bisaya, the common term is alimpulos or simply alimpos. The term ipo-ipo mainly refers to 'waterspout'. Although the two terms are often used interchangeably, buhawi refers to land-based tornadoes while ipo-ipo refers to waterspouts.
Climatology
A tornado, also known locally as buhawi or ipo-ipo, is a violently rotating column of air that descends from the base of a thunderstorm onto the ground. They typically form during severe thunderstorms influenced by monsoons or in the right-front quadrant of tropical cyclones, relative to its track. Tornadoes are expected for about half of tropical cyclones with tropical storm intensity in regions where the air has a brief trajectory over land, paired together with a strong convection. The country is situated near the equator with a tropical climate, characterized by relatively high temperature, high humidity, and abundant rainfall. It is also located west from the Pacific Ocean, which makes the country prone to natural disasters including typhoons. During the wet season, the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) shifts north into the country. Warm, moist air rises into the atmosphere and cools, releasing accumulated moisture that results in an increase of severe thunderstorms and aiding the formation of tropical cyclones. The southwest monsoon or habagat also influences severe weather as warm, moist air travel northeast towards the country, causing heavy rainfall.Tornadoes occur regularly in the country, albeit their frequency and intensity are significantly lower than those in the United States. They are influenced by the Intertropical Convergence Zone which makes the country susceptible to tornadoes. There are multiple tornado hotspots in the Philippines, with Central Luzon and the Greater Manila Area having the most recorded tornadic activity. Luzon is surrounded by the Zambales Mountain Range to the west and the Sierra Madre Mountain Range to the east which influences atmospheric instability through orographic effect. Manila Bay also contributes by bringing warm, humid air towards the regions.Integrating Climate Change and Disaster Risk Scenarios into Coastal Land and Sea Use Planning in Manila Bay Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia. Korea Maritime Institute. Retrieved February 3, 2026. Another tornado hotspot is located in Central Mindanao, where tornadoes are heavily concentrated in Cotabato due to a similar effect. Wind shears and atmospheric conditions from supercell thunderstorms, monsoons, or typhoons increase the chances for tornadoes to develop. The flash rate density in these areas are significantly higher compared to Visayas which only has two known smaller tornado hotspots, specifically in the western and central regions. It is not yet possible to determine the influence of atmospheric oscillations on the formation of tornadoes due to insufficient data. +Monthly distribution of tornadoesJanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecemberNo. of tornadoes301651426672798179574835 The active season for tornadoes in the country begin in March, particularly in Panay, Maguindanao, and South Cotabato. On April, tornadic activity rises in Mindanao, while high concentrations of tornadoes in Luzon emerge in May. The initial peak of the active season occurs in June wherein tornadic events are scattered across the country with the arrival of the southwest monsoon. Documented reports of tornadoes increase from June to August, especially in the country's tornado hotspots. By September, the active season begins to dwindle and shifts south due to the arrival of the northeast monsoon, especially in Luzon and Visayas with the exception of Mindanao in which tornadic activity still remains until November. Eventually, the season dies down in December with only a few documented cases of severe weather events being reported. +Yearly distribution of tornadoes (2009-2025)20092010201120122013201420152016201720182019202020212022202320242025No. of tornadoes18318182023201724212624284529107141 Some of these tornadoes go unreported due to them being too weak to cause damages, or they touch down on rural areas with little to no population. Reports of tornadoes have increased since 2009 due to the rise of internet access in the country, primarily through social media and news outlets. As of 2026, there are more than 600 documented tornadoes in the country's recorded history.
The most notable and well-documented tornado is the Manila tornado, when on August 14, 2016, a rare multi-vortex EF1 tornado swept through Metro Manila. It damaged more than 100 buildings and injured 2 people.14 August 2016 Tornado Episode over Manila City: A Damage Assessment. Hydrometeorology, Tropical Meteorology and Instrumentation Research and Development Section, Research & Development and Training Division. PAGASA Public Files. Retrieved January 19, 2026. Another notable example is an extremely rare EF2 tornado in Arayat, Pampanga during Typhoon Ewiniar on May 27, 2024. This tornado reached estimated wind speeds of up to 201 km/h (125 mph) as it damaged at least 30 houses and 2 school buildings. There were no reported injuries from the tornado. Moreover, one tornado received an EF3 rating – a first in the country's recorded history – after it struck Daet, Camarines Norte on September 14, 2025. It reached estimated wind speeds of at least 220 km/h (137 mph), which resulted in a total of 121 houses damaged, 2 people killed, and 2 others injured. The earliest-known tornado was recorded in Morong, Rizal on May 17, 1871 where a tornado that originated as a waterspout, destroyed 43 houses and multiple trees. The deadliest tornado was recorded in Manukan, Zamboanga del Norte on June 12, 1990, where an EF2 tornado destroyed a total of 154 houses, killed 51 people, and injured more than 100 others.
Tornado alerts The country currently does not have an active tornado alert system in place. The meteorological agency, PAGASA, stated that they do not have the capability to set tornado warnings or tornado bulletins yet. They rely on doppler weather radars and storm chasers on the ground to gather data on tornadoes. Although, they are planning on putting up a tornado warning system. Thunderstorm advisories are often issued by PAGASA for severe thunderstorms.
Since 2018, PAGASA launched their total lightning detection network, consisting of 28 lightning detectors that are stationed across the country in order to acquire real-time data on lightning activity. This allows meteorologists to forecast weather conditions and improve early warning systems and advisories, including thunderstorms and severe weather events such as hailstorms and tornadoes. The network was utilized during the Bacolor tornado on June 22, 2023, wherein a surge of lightning activity was observed on the western side of Luzon, particularly in Pampanga, and prompted a thunderstorm advisory.2023 Annual Climate Bulletin. Climatology and Agrometeorology Division. PAGASA Public Files. pp. 43–47.
Tornadoes This list includes confirmed and probable tornadoes reported from news articles, government agencies, and research publications. Tornado intensities are rated according to the Severe Weather Archive of the Philippines. Some tornadoes are rated as F/EFU due to lack of available data on damage assessments. Tornadoes with no ratings have not been assessed yet.
Pre-2000
1870s May 17, 1871 – A tornado that originated as a waterspout from Laguna de Bay struck Morong, Rizal during a thundershower at 18:45 PhST. It had wind speeds of 116 km/h (72 mph) and destroyed all houses in its path. Its erratic movement resulted in the destruction of 43 houses, and multiple fruit trees and bamboo palms in the area.
1900s May 16, 1903 – A tornado accompanied by hail struck Santa Maria, Bulacan at around 17:00 PhST. It overturned houses, mostly made of bamboo and nipa, scattered trees, and collapsed the Presidencia.
1910s August 7, 1919 – A powerful tornado struck Iloilo City just before midnight where it damaged more than 50 houses and destroyed a convent. Its path covered the area between Calle Iznart and Plaza Libertad. Posts were carried more than 300 m (984 ft) away and houses were carried at a short distance. An 18-year-old student was killed by the tornado while 7 others were injured.
1920s June 13, 1926 – A tornado swept through Intramuros, Manila at around 04:55 PhST. It originated near the Pasig River and crossed south of Fort Santiago, which then travelled between Ayuntamiento de Manila and the University of Santo Tomas. It blew galvanized iron sheets off a patio from the Hotel de Oriente, with one of the plates struck the electrical wires of Meralco which resulted in power flashes. The tornado also struck the roof of La Palma de Mallorca where it tore off several galvanized iron sheets, one of which became imbedded into a stone wall due to the force of the wind. A heavy door was forcibly separated from the framework of a building in Calle Real and was thrown several meters away. April 14, 1927 – A tornado accompanied by hail swept through Tuguegarao between 19:40 PhST and 19:45 PhST. The storm originated east of Tuguegarao Cathedral and traveled west-northwest towards two barrios, before it dissipated near Solana. It reached wind force 8 to 9 on the Beaufort scale, which it destroyed several strong houses, collapsed a school building, and uprooted nearby trees. April 22, 1928 – A tornado that originated near the Cagayan River struck Tuguegarao where it destroyed five houses, damaged banana plantations, and uprooted several trees. It reached wind force 5 to 8 on the Beaufort scale, and was accompanied with hail and rain. October 27, 1928 – A tornado struck Guianga district in Davao City where it affected around 6,000 hectares of hemp plantations, which amounted to more than ₱2 million in damages.
1930s
June 23, 1930 – A destructive tornado struck Makati during a torrential rain at around 14:30 PhST. It demolished houses, uprooted trees, toppled telegraph and telephone posts, and almost completely destroyed a school as it ripped apart galvanized iron sheets, with some blown away for more than half a kilometer. Twenty were injured from the tornado, most of whom were children. Among those injured, fourteen required medical assistance and were sent to nearby hospitals. November 3, 1930 – A tornado spawned by a typhoon struck multiple towns in Iloilo at around 03:00 PhST. It completely destroyed over 150 houses, toppled several trees, and scattered debris on the streets. The belfry of a local church in Pototan was also destroyed. August 9, 1932 – A tornado injured several people and destroyed properties in Tamparan, Lanao del Sur. A woman was killed after being buried in the ruins of her house.