Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 Raised in Luzon
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) has raised Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 over four areas in Luzon due to Tropical Depression Emong. Meanwhile, Tropical Cyclone Dante has intensified into a tropical storm, local sources said.
At 11 a.m., Emong was located 115 kilometers west-northwest of Laoag City, Ilocos Norte. It carries maximum sustained winds of 45 kilometers per hour near its center, with gusts reaching up to 55 kilometers per hour. The tropical depression is moving west-southwest at 35 kilometers per hour.
Areas Under Signal No. 1
The wind signal covers Ilocos Norte; the western portion of Ilocos Sur, including Sinait, San Juan, Cabugao, Santo Domingo, Magsingal, Bantay, San Ildefonso, San Vicente, Santa Catalina, Vigan City, Caoayan, Santa, Narvacan, Santa Maria, San Esteban, Santiago, Candon City, Santa Lucia, Santa Cruz, and Tagudin; the northwestern part of La Union, including San Fernando City, San Juan, Bacnotan, Luna, Balaoan, Bangar, and Bauang; and the western portion of Pangasinan, including Dasol, Burgos, Agno, Bani, Bolinao, Alaminos City, Mabini, and Anda.
Forecast and Movement of Emong
Emong is expected to continue moving southwestward on Wednesday before performing a loop over the West Philippine Sea by Thursday. This movement is influenced by its interaction with Tropical Storm Dante.
“Afterward, it will head northeastward while accelerating, passing close to the Ilocos Region, Babuyan Islands, and Batanes,” sources noted.
Pagasa also warned that a landfall in any of these areas is possible, especially if the storm’s path shifts eastward.
The tropical depression may strengthen into a tropical storm by Thursday afternoon or evening. Further intensification is likely on Friday, and there remains a chance it could reach severe tropical storm status before making landfall or a close approach.
Dante Intensifies into Tropical Storm
Meanwhile, Tropical Cyclone Dante reached tropical storm strength at 8 a.m. on Wednesday. It was last spotted 900 kilometers east of the northernmost part of Luzon.
Dante carries maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour and gusts up to 80 kilometers per hour. It is moving north-northwest at 15 kilometers per hour.
The weather bureau projects Dante to move northwest over the Philippine Sea in the next 24 hours, heading toward the Ryukyu Islands and then the East China Sea.
Though the chance of Dante becoming a severe tropical storm is low, it cannot be entirely ruled out. The tropical storm is expected to leave the Philippine area of responsibility by Thursday afternoon or evening.
For more news and updates on tropical cyclone wind signal, visit Filipinokami.com.
