TROPICAL CYCLONE BULLETIN NO. 17

SEVERE TROPICAL STORM “FLORITA” ACCELERATES WEST NORTHWESTWARD AND IS NOW OUTSIDE THE PHILIPPINE AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY

• Location of Center (4:00 AM):

The center of Severe Tropical Storm “FLORITA” was estimated based on all available data at 335 km West of Calayan, Cagayan (Outside the PAR) (19.2°N, 118.3°E)

• Intensity :

Maximum sustained winds of 95 km/h near the center, gustiness of up to 115 km/h, and central pressure of 990 hPa

• Present Movement :

West northwestward at 30 km/h

• Extent of Tropical Cyclone Winds :

Strong to storm-force winds extend outwards up to 400 km from the center

TROPICAL CYCLONE WIND SIGNALS (TCWS) IN EFFECT

TCWS No. 1

(Strong winds prevailing or expected within 36 hours)

LUZON:

Batanes, Babuyan Islands, the western portion of mainland Cagayan (Claveria, Santa Praxedes, Sanchez-Mira, Pamplona, Abulug, Ballesteros, Allacapan, Aparri, Lasam, Santo Niño, Rizal), Apayao, Abra, the western portion of Kalinga (Balbalan, Pasil, Tinglayan), the western portion of Mountain Province (Bauko, Tadian, Besao, Sagada, Sabangan, Bontoc, Sadanga), the northern and western portions of Benguet (Mankayan, Bakun, Kibungan, Kapangan, Tublay, La Trinidad, Sablan, Tuba, Baguio City, Atok), Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, and La Union

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

HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND AREAS

Heavy Rainfall

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

• This morning through afternoon: Light to moderate with at times heavy rains over Ilocos Region.

• Rainfall caused by FLORITA is forecast to gradually weaken throughout the day. However, scattered flooding (including flash floods) and rain-induced landslides are still 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 may continue to bring rains over the western sections of Central and Southern Luzon. For more information, refer to the Weather Advisory #5 issued at 11:00 PM yesterday and the 24-Hour Public Weather Forecast at 4:00 AM today.

Severe Winds

• 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 gale-force strength may still be experienced (especially in the coastal and mountainous areas) over MIMAROPA, Metro Manila, Cavite, Quezon, Bulacan, Pampanga, Pangasinan, Aurora, and localities of Cordillera Administrative Region and Cagayan Valley that are not under any 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. For more information, refer to Gale Warning #5 issued at 5:00 AM today.

TRACK AND INTENSITY OUTLOOK

Severe Tropical Storm FLORITA is forecast to move generally west northwestward over the West Philippine Sea towards the southern portion of China, where it is expected to make landfall tomorrow morning or early afternoon. It is also is forecast to re-intensify and reach typhoon category tonight.

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 AM today.

DOST-PAGASA

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