TROPICAL CYCLONE BULLETIN NO. 15

“FLORITA” MAINTAINS ITS STRENGTH AND IS NOW OVER THE COASTAL WATERS OF ILOCOS NORTE

• Location of Center (7:00 PM):

The center of Severe Tropical Storm “FLORITA” was estimated based on all available data including those from Aparri Doppler Weather Radar over the coastal waters of Burgos, Ilocos Norte (18.6°N, 120.4°E)

• Intensity:

Maximum sustained winds of 100 km/h near the center, gustiness of up to 165 km/h, and central pressure of 990 hPa

• Present Movement:

Northwestward at 25 km/h

• Extent of Tropical Cyclone Winds:

Strong to storm-force winds extend outwards up to 300 km from the center

TROPICAL CYCLONE WIND SIGNALS (TCWS) IN EFFECT

TCWS No. 3 (Storm-force winds prevailing or expected within 18 hours)

LUZON:

The northwestern portion of mainland Cagayan (Ballesteros, Pamplona, Abulug, Sanchez-Mira, Claveria, Santa Praxedes), the southwestern portion of Babuyan Islands (Camiguin Is., Dalupiri Is), and the northern and central portions of Apayao (Calanasan, Kabugao, Luna, Pudtol, Flora, Santa Marcela),and Ilocos Norte

–Potential impacts of winds: Moderate to significant threat to life and property

TCWS No. 2 (Gale-force winds prevailing or expected within 24 hours)

LUZON:

The northern and central portions of Ilocos Sur (Quirino, Gregorio del Pilar, Salcedo, Santa Lucia, Galimuyod, City of Candon, San Emilio, Lidlidda, Banayoyo, Santiago, Burgos, San Esteban, Santa Maria, Nagbukel, Narvacan, Santa, Santa Catalina, San Vicente, Bantay, Santo Domingo, San Ildefonso, Caoayan, City of Vigan, Magsingal, San Juan, Cabugao, Sinait), the rest of Apayao, Kalinga, Abra, the northern portion of Mountain Province (Besao, Sagada, Bontoc, Sadanga, Barlig, Natonin, Paracelis), the rest of mainland Cagayan, the rest of Babuyan Islands, the northern portion of Isabela (Roxas, Quirino, Tumauini, Delfin Albano, Mallig, Quezon, Santo Tomas, Cabagan, Santa Maria, San Pablo, Maconacon)

–Potential impacts of winds: Minor to moderate threat to life and property

TCWS No. 1 (Strong winds prevailing or expected within 36 hours)

LUZON:

Batanes, the rest of Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, the rest of Mountain Province, Ifugao, Benguet, La Union, the rest of Ilocos Sur, and the northern and central portions of Aurora (Dipaculao, Dinalungan, Casiguran, Dilasag)

–Potential impacts of winds: Minimal to minor threat to life and property

Wind Signals in other areas are hereby lifted.

HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND AREAS

Heavy Rainfall

• Tonight: Moderate to heavy with at times intense rains over Cordillera Administrative Region, Ilocos Region, Zambales, Tarlac, Pampanga, and Bataan. Light to moderate with at times heavy rains over Metro Manila, Cagayan Valley, and the rest of Central Luzon and CALABARZON.

• Tomorrow: Moderate to heavy rains over Ilocos Region, Benguet, Abra, Zambales, and Bataan. Light to moderate with at times heavy rains over the rest of Cordillera Administrative Region.

• Under these conditions, scattered to widespread flooding (including flash floods) and rain-induced landslides are expected especially in areas that are highly or very highly susceptible to these hazard as identified in hazard maps, and in localities with significant antecedent rainfall.

• In the next 24 hours, the Southwest Monsoon will also bring rains over Western Visayas and MIMAROPA. For more information, refer to the Weather Advisory #4 issued at 11:00 AM today and the 24-Hour Public Weather Forecast issued at 4:00 PM today.

Severe Winds

• Throughout the passage of “FLORITA”, winds may reach storm-force in strength in any of the areas where Wind Signal No. 3 is hoisted, while winds may reach gale-force in strength in any of the areas where Wind Signal no. 2 is hoisted. Strong winds (strong breeze to near gale strength) will be experienced within any of the areas where Wind Signal no. 1 is currently in effect.

• In the next 24 hours, gusts reaching strong breeze to near gale strength may also be experienced (especially in the coastal and mountainous areas) over Pangasinan, Metro Manila, Zambales, Bataan, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Bulacan, Mindoro Provinces, Marinduque, Romblon, Northern Samar, Antique, Aklan, CALABARZON, Bicol Region, and the remaining municipalities of Aurora that are not in the Wind Signal.

HAZARDS AFFECTING COASTAL WATERS

• Under the influence of Severe Tropical Storm “FLORITA” and the prevailing Southwest Monsoon, a Gale Warning remains in effect over the seaboards of Northern and Central Luzon, most of the seaboards of Southern Luzon, and western seaboard of Visayas. For more information, refer to Gale Warning #4 issued at 5:00 PM today.

• In the next 24 hours, “FLORITA” and the Southwest Monsoon will also bring moderate to rough seas over the remaining seaboards of Southern Luzon and Visayas (1.2 to 2.8 m). These conditions may be risky for those using small seacrafts. Mariners are advised to take precautionary measures when venturing out to sea and, if possible, avoid navigating in these conditions.

TRACK AND INTENSITY OUTLOOK

Severe Tropical Storm “FLORITA” is forecast to move west northwestward throughout the forecast period and may exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) tomorrow early morning. “FLORITA” is forecast to re-intensify and may reach typhoon category tomorrow afternoon.

Considering these developments, the public and disaster risk reduction and management offices concerned are advised to take all necessary measures to protect life and property. Persons living in areas identified to be highly or very highly susceptible to these hazards are advised to follow evacuation and other instructions from local officials. For heavy rainfall warnings, thunderstorm/rainfall advisories, and other severe weather information specific to your area, please monitor products issued by your local PAGASA Regional Services Division.

The next tropical cyclone bulletin will be issued at 11:00 PM today.

DOST-PAGASA

Link: http://bit.ly/3R0gqX3