The Sierra Madre mountain range plays a key role in weakening typhoons after they make landfall on the eastern coast of Luzon, according to both the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) and veteran international storm chasers.
Spanning 540 kilometers from Cagayan in the north to Quezon in the southeastern portion of Luzon, the Sierra Madre is the longest mountain range in the country. While the mountains do not prevent the initial impact, their rugged terrain creates friction that slows down storm winds, providing some relief to communities further inland.
This natural effect has been observed in previous weather disturbances in the country, such as Severe Tropical Storm Pepito in 2024.
American storm chaser Josh Morgerman, who arrived in Manila on Friday night to document Super Typhoon Uwan (international name: Fung-Wong), clarified misconceptions about the mountains in a social media post.
“Many folks are posting misinformation about the Sierra Madre Mountains in the Philippines. Let me set the record straight: The Sierra Madre chain weakens typhoons after they make landfall on the east coast of Luzon,” Morgerman wrote.
“These mountains do not protect the east coast of Luzon, which regularly experiences some of the strongest tropical cyclone impacts in the world,” he added.
Morgerman is renowned for documenting extreme weather events worldwide, including Super Typhoon Yolanda in Tacloban City in 2013, capturing firsthand the storm’s devastating winds and destruction.
PAGASA weather specialists further explained that while the Sierra Madre can reduce a typhoon’s wind strength, it has little effect on the heavy rainfall that often accompanies these storms, which remains a major hazard for affected communities.
Experts stress that preparedness remains crucial, as eastern Luzon continues to be highly vulnerable to some of the world's strongest tropical cyclones.
Beyond its role in storm mitigation, the Sierra Madre also holds environmental and cultural significance. Presidential Proclamation 413 designates September 26 as "Save Sierra Madre Day," highlighting the importance of conserving this vital natural landmark.
