The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) raised tropical cyclone wind signal no. 1 across several northern Luzon provinces on Friday afternoon due to the effects of tropical depression ‘Isang.’
In a 5:00 p.m. weather bulletin on August 22, PAGASA said the following areas are experiencing strong winds and intermittent rains in light of the new cyclone, which may intensify into a tropical storm by Saturday morning (August 23):
• Cagayan, Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Apayao, Kalinga, Abra, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Benguet, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Aurora, and the northern portion of Nueva Ecija (Lupao, Carranglan, Pantabangan, San Jose City)
The tropical depression was last monitored in the vicinity of Aglipay, Quirino moving west northwestward at 15 kilometers per hour (kph). It had maximum sustained winds of 55 kph and gustiness of up to 90 kph.
It is expected to traverse Northern Luzon and emerge over the West Philippine Sea tonight, and eventually exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility tomorrow (23 August) morning or afternoon.
“’Isang’ is forecast to intensify into a tropical storm tomorrow morning and may reach severe tropical storm category while approaching the waters south of Hainan, China. However, intensification into a tropical storm at a much earlier time… is not ruled out,” PAGASA said in its advisory.
Forecasters warned of scattered rain showers resulting in possible flash floods across Metro Manila, Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon and the provinces of Laguna, Quezon, Rizal, Camarines Norte and Camarines Sur.
“Isang” will continue to bring heavy rainfall (100-200 mm) in La Union, Pangasinan, Benguet, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Aurora, Zambales and Bataan Friday until Saturday due to tropical “Isang.”
From Friday to Saturday, Metro Manila, Ifugao, Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Pampanga, Bulacan, Rizal, Laguna, Quezon, Camarines Norte and Camarines Sur will experience moderate rainfall (50-100 mm).
The wet condition will still prevail in Pangasinan, Zambales and Bataan until Sunday.
Several local government units in the National Capital Region (NCR) and nearby provinces suspended afternoon classes yesterday in both public and private schools amid the ongoing bad weather.
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority also reported incidents of flooding.
Weather conditions for the rest of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, meanwhile, will continue to be affected by the southwest monsoon, according to PAGASA. The rains in Occidental Mindoro, Cavite, Batangas, Marinduque, Romblon, Oriental Mindoro and Palawan are attributed to the ‘habagat.’
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline: “Northern Luzon provinces under Signal No. 1 due to ‘Isang’”
