The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on early Saturday morning announced that Severe Tropical Storm “Paolo” (international name: Matmo) is now outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR).
According to the state weather bureau’s 5 a.m. tropical cyclone bulletin, Paolo’s center was last estimated 295 kilometers west of Sinait, Ilocos Sur.
Moving west-northwestward at 20 kilometers per hour (kph), it had maximum sustained winds of 110 kph and gusts of up to 135 kph.
Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2 has since been lifted, but Signal No. 1 remains hoisted over the following Luzon areas:
- The western portion of Abra (Danglas, Bangued, Langiden, San Quintin, Pidigan, San Isidro, Pilar, Villaviciosa, Peñarrubia, Manabo, Luba, Tayum, La Paz, Lagayan, Tubo, Bucay, Dolores, San Juan, Lagangilang)
- The western portion of Benguet (Bakun, Kibungan, Kapangan, Sablan, Tuba, Mankayan, Tublay, La Trinidad, Baguio City)
- The southern portion of Ilocos Norte (Nueva Era, Banna, Badoc, Pinili, City of Batac, Paoay, Marcos, Currimao)
- Ilocos Sur
- La Union
- The western and central portions of Pangasinan (Bolinao, Bani, Agno, Burgos, Dasol, Mabini, Infanta, Bugallon, Labrador, Sual, City of Alaminos, Lingayen, Aguilar, Mangatarem, Urbiztondo, San Carlos City, Binmaley, Dagupan City, Calasiao, Basista, Bayambang, San Fabian, San Jacinto, Mangaldan, Mapandan, Santa Barbara, Malasiqui, Alcala, Bautista, Santo Tomas, Villasis, City of Urdaneta, Manaoag, Laoac, Pozorrubio, Sison)
- The northern portion of Zambales (Iba, Candelaria, Palauig, Santa Cruz, Masinloc)
The severe tropical storm will continue moving west-northwestward toward southern China.
Paolo will then reintensify into a typhoon this morning or afternoon while moving over the West Philippine Sea.
