Severe Tropical Storm Emong Nears Luzon Exit
Severe Tropical Storm Emong continues to weaken as it moves over the Cordillera Central and is about to leave the landmass of Luzon, sources said Friday. The state weather bureau reported that Emong was last located near Calanasan, Apayao, moving north-northeast at 40 kilometers per hour.
Emong is expected to soon exit the Philippine landmass, emerging over the Babuyan Channel. “On the track forecast, it will pass close to or over Babuyan Islands and Batanes from this afternoon to early evening while accelerating north-northeastward,” local authorities noted. The storm is also forecasted to leave the Philippine Area of Responsibility by tomorrow morning.
Wind Speeds and Signals in Affected Areas
As of Friday, Emong is packing maximum sustained winds of 95 kilometers per hour near its center, with gusts reaching up to 160 kph. Due to its strength, Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 3 remains in effect for parts of northeastern Ilocos Norte, northern Apayao, and northwestern mainland Cagayan.
TCWS No. 2 covers the rest of Ilocos Norte, northern Ilocos Sur, northern Abra, Batanes, and parts of Cagayan’s northern and western mainland. Meanwhile, TCWS No. 1 is raised for the rest of Ilocos Sur, northern La Union, Abra, northern Benguet, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, and other northern Cagayan regions.
Areas Under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signals
- TCWS No. 3: Northeastern Ilocos Norte, northern Apayao, northwestern mainland Cagayan
- TCWS No. 2: Remaining Ilocos Norte, northern Ilocos Sur, rest of Apayao, northern Abra, Batanes, northern and western mainland Cagayan
- TCWS No. 1: Remaining Ilocos Sur, northern La Union, rest of Abra, northern Benguet, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, rest of mainland Cagayan, northern Isabela
Southwest Monsoon Enhanced by Emong
Aside from the storm itself, Emong has strengthened the southwest monsoon, locally called habagat. This enhancement will bring strong to gale-force gusts particularly to coastal and upland areas. The affected regions include Metro Manila, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Bicol Region, Mimaropa, Visayas, and parts of Mindanao such as Zamboanga del Norte and Davao Oriental.
Regions Experiencing Strong Winds from Habagat
- Metro Manila
- Central Luzon (areas not under wind signal)
- Calabarzon provinces
- Bicol Region
- Mimaropa provinces
- Visayas
- Zamboanga del Norte, Misamis Occidental, Lanao del Norte
- Camiguin, Dinagat Islands
- Davao Oriental
Forecast and Expected Weakening
Authorities said Emong is expected to weaken steadily due to an unfavorable environment ahead. It is likely to degenerate into a remnant low by tomorrow evening as it enters the East China Sea. However, a faster rate of weakening cannot be ruled out.
For more news and updates on Severe Tropical Storm Emong, visit Filipinokami.com.
