The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on Wednesday hoisted Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) no. 2 over Cagayan, the northern and eastern portions of Isabela, and the eastern portion of Apayao at the height of Typhoon ‘Ofel’ (Usagi).
The state weather bureau also raised TCWS No. 1 over Batanes, the rest of Isabela, Quirino, northern portion of Nueva Vizcaya, Apayao, Kalinga, Abra, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Ilocos Norte, and the northern portion of Aurora.
The typhoon was last monitored at 480 kilometers east of Baler, Aurora. It was moving west northwestward at 25 kilometers per hour with maximum sustained winds of 120 km/h near the center and gusts of up to 150 km/h, according to the 5:00 p.m. weather bulletin.
‘Ofel’ is forecast to move west-northwestward to northwestward over the Philippine Sea before making landfall along the eastern coast of Cagayan or Isabela on Thursday afternoon. It will then emerge over the Luzon Strait on Friday.
“Regardless of the position of the landfall point, it must be emphasized that hazards on land and coastal waters may still be experienced in areas outside the landfall point or forecast confidence cone,” the state weather bureau added.
Similarly, PAGASA monitored that another tropical cyclone (international name Man-Yi) being is forecast to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) Thursday night. It will be called ‘Pepito’ once it enters PAR.
It is forecast to make landfall over the eastern coast of Luzon during the weekend, PAGASA said. The tropical storm may intensify into a severe tropical storm on Wednesday and reach the typhoon or super typhoon category by Thursday afternoon or evening.
“The possibility of rapid intensification is not ruled out. Since this tropical cyclone may reach typhoon category while over the Philippine Sea, the possibility for Man-yi to reach super typhoon category prior to landfall is also not ruled out,” it said. “Regardless, Man-Yi may make landfall at peak intensity.”
Man-Yi was last spotted at 1,965 kilometers east of Eastern Visayas moving west-southwestward at 30 kilometers per hour (kph). The tropical storm was packing maximum sustained winds of 65 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 80 kph.
