Tropical Storm “Paolo” slightly intensified while moving west-northwestward over the Philippine Sea, the state weather bureau reported yesterday.
In its 5 p.m. weather bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said the storm’s center was located around 480 kilometers east of Infanta, Quezon, or 480 km east of Baler, Aurora.
It was moving west-northwestward at 15 kilometers per hour with maximum sustained winds of up to 105 km/h.
As of late yesterday afternoon, Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2 was raised in Isabela, the northern portion of Quirino (Maddela, Aglipay, Cabarroguis, Saguday, Diffun), the northern portion of Nueva Vizcaya (Diadi, Bagabag, Quezon, Solano, Villaverde, Ambaguio, Bayombong, Kasibu), Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, and the northern portion of Aurora (Dilasag, Casiguran, Dinalungan).
Meanwhile, Signal No. 1 was hoisted over Cagayan, the rest of Quirino, the rest of Nueva Vizcaya, Apayao, Abra, Benguet, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, the northern portion of Zambales (Palauig, Masinloc, Candelaria, Santa Cruz), Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, the rest of Aurora, the northern portion of Bulacan (Doña Remedios Trinidad, San Miguel, San Ildefonso, Norzagaray, San Rafael), the northern portion of Pampanga (Magalang, Arayat, Candaba, Mabalacat City), the northern portion of Quezon (General Nakar, Infanta) including Polillo Islands, Camarines Norte, the northern portion of Camarines Sur (Siruma, Tinambac, Lagonoy, Garchitorena, Caramoan, Goa, San Jose, Presentacion) and Catanduanes.
“Paolo” is forecast to move generally west-northwest throughout the forecast period.
PAGASA predicts that the storm will make landfall over southern Isabela or northern Aurora this morning.
The Bureau explained that the storm can shift further southward contingent upon the strength of the high-pressure area located to its north.
After crossing the landmass of Northern Luzon, the weather disturbance will emerge over the West Philippine Sea this afternoon and will continue moving west-northwestward until it exits the Philippine area of responsibility by Saturday morning, PAGASA stated.
“Paolo” will continue to intensify while over the Philippine Sea and is expected to reach severe tropical storm category Thursday night or early this morning.
“Further intensification into a typhoon before landfall is not ruled out,” the weather bureau also said.
Based on the Bureau’s intensity forecast, “Paolo” will very likely intensify into a typhoon once it moves beyond land and emerges over the West Philippine Sea.
