Severe Tropical Storm “Marce” (International Name: Yinxing) slightly intensifies over the Philippine sea and is nearing typhoon category, the state weather bureau said.
According to the latest 5 AM advisory from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), “Marce” is moving northwestward at 25 kilometers per hour with maximum sustained winds of 110 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 135 kilometers per hour.
Its center was last estimated at 735 km east of Baler, Aurora.
Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1 has been raised over Batanes, Cagayan including Babuyan Islands, the northern and eastern portions of Isabela, the northern portion of Apayao, and the northern portion of Ilocos Norte.
The weather disturbance is forecast to move generally west northwestward today until Wednesday morning before decelerating and turning westward over the Philippine Sea east of extreme Northern Luzon.
Based on the forecast track, “Marce” may make landfall in the vicinity of Babuyan Islands or over the northern portion of mainland Cagayan on Thursday evening or Friday early morning.
“Marce” is currently undergoing rapid intensification. This tropical cyclone is expected to continue to rapidly intensify and may reach typhoon category today. “Marce” is expected to reach its peak intensity prior to possible landfall over Babuyan Islands of Cagayan,” PAGASA warned.
Due to uncertainty in the strength of the high pressure area north of ‘Marce,’ the forecast track may still change and bring the landfall point to mainland Cagayan-Isabela area.
Severe Tropical Storm “Marce” may exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) region on Friday evening or Saturday early morning.
