FEATURE
Advocates Philippines
Beyond The Myths: What Science Really Says About Sierra Madre's Role In Typhoons
Screengrab from DENR Cagayan Valley
We’ve all heard it before — “Buti na lang may Sierra Madre.”
For years, Filipinos have seen the Sierra Madre Mountain Range as the country’s great wall against powerful typhoons. But a new study shows that while it truly helps, it’s not an all-powerful shield.
A 2023 study by Dr. Gerry Bagtasa and Dr. Bernard Alan Racoma, published in the Philippine Journal of Science, used advanced weather models to simulate how the Sierra Madre and Cordillera Mountain Range affect typhoons that hit Luzon from 2000 to 2020.
Their findings? The Sierra Madre does weaken the wind speed of typhoons by about 1–13%, especially in the northeastern parts of Luzon — but that’s only part of the story.
While the mountain range slows down winds, it can also increase rainfall in western areas, including Metro Manila, by 23–55%. That means even if winds are weaker, the risk of flooding and landslides remains dangerously high.
The study also revealed that the Cordillera Mountain Range has a stronger effect in slowing down winds compared to Sierra Madre. Still, Sierra Madre plays a crucial role for Cagayan Valley, helping reduce rain and wind there — proving that it’s indeed a natural barrier, though not a perfect one.
More importantly, the researchers stress one clear message: protect Sierra Madre at all costs.
Deforestation, mining, and destructive activities are slowly eroding this vital defense. Beyond being a storm buffer, Sierra Madre is also home to rich biodiversity and vital natural resources that sustain millions of Filipinos.
In short, Sierra Madre can’t stop every storm — but losing it would make every storm far worse.
For years, Filipinos have seen the Sierra Madre Mountain Range as the country’s great wall against powerful typhoons. But a new study shows that while it truly helps, it’s not an all-powerful shield.
A 2023 study by Dr. Gerry Bagtasa and Dr. Bernard Alan Racoma, published in the Philippine Journal of Science, used advanced weather models to simulate how the Sierra Madre and Cordillera Mountain Range affect typhoons that hit Luzon from 2000 to 2020.
Their findings? The Sierra Madre does weaken the wind speed of typhoons by about 1–13%, especially in the northeastern parts of Luzon — but that’s only part of the story.
While the mountain range slows down winds, it can also increase rainfall in western areas, including Metro Manila, by 23–55%. That means even if winds are weaker, the risk of flooding and landslides remains dangerously high.
The study also revealed that the Cordillera Mountain Range has a stronger effect in slowing down winds compared to Sierra Madre. Still, Sierra Madre plays a crucial role for Cagayan Valley, helping reduce rain and wind there — proving that it’s indeed a natural barrier, though not a perfect one.
More importantly, the researchers stress one clear message: protect Sierra Madre at all costs.
Deforestation, mining, and destructive activities are slowly eroding this vital defense. Beyond being a storm buffer, Sierra Madre is also home to rich biodiversity and vital natural resources that sustain millions of Filipinos.
In short, Sierra Madre can’t stop every storm — but losing it would make every storm far worse.
Nov 11, 2025
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