Tropical storm ‘Opong’ intensified while moving west southwestward over the Philippine Sea, prompting the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) to raise tropical cyclone wind signal no. 1 over Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, and Samar.
Based on its 11:00 a.m. weather bulletin on Wednesday, September 24, ‘Opong’ kept moving west southwestward at 15 kilometers per hour (kph) with maximum sustained winds of 85 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 105 kph.
It was located at 815 km east of Northeastern Mindanao and is forecast to begin moving west northwestward while approaching Eastern Visayas and Southern Luzon. PAGASA projects ‘Opong’ to make a landfall over the Bicol region by Friday (September 26).
“It will then weaken as it crosses the archipelago, although it will likely remain as a typhoon or severe tropical storm during the passage. Re-intensification is highly likely once ‘Opong’ emerges over the West Philippine Sea,” the state weather bureau added in its advisory.
‘Opong’ is anticipated to hit the provinces of Southern Leyte, Eastern Samar, Northern Samar, Quezon Province, and Cavite between tonight until Saturday evening before it leaves the Philippine area of responsibility, according to the forecast position of PAGASA.
