The storm warning signal is raised over Batanes, Cagayan, and districts 1 and 6 of Northern Isabela. Winds at 30 to 60 kilometers per hour within the next 36 hours are expected.
Fishermen in the coastal areas near these provinces are advised not to go out at sea.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 15) — Weather officials have placed some Luzon provinces under Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No.1 on Monday following the onslaught of tropical depression “Falcon.”
Since it is moving fast, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said tropical depression “Falcon” may not bring plenty of rains.
Falcon, according to PAGASA, may intensify into a tropical storm, and it can make landfall in the Babuyan Island group area on Wednesday.
Falcon will still bring scattered rains and thunderstorms to the Bicol Region and Eastern Visayas today. On the other hand, the southwest monsoon or habagat will also bring rains over Zamboanga Peninsula, Bangsamoro, MIMAROPA and the rest of Visayas.
On Tuesday, residents of MIMAROPA, Western Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula and Bangsamoro will experience light to moderate and at times heavy monsoon rains.
On Wednesday, moderate to heavy rains will pour over Ilocos Region, Cordillera Region, Cagayan Valley, Zambales, Bataan and Mindoro Provinces due to ‘Falcon’ pulling the southwest monsoon. Monsoon rains will also drench Metro Manila, CALABARZON, Western Visayas, the rest of Central Luzon and MIMAROPA.
According to PAGASA, the southwest monsoon is characterized by warm, moist winds from the southwest that bring rains to the western areas of the country from May to September.
Falcon may intensify into a tropical storm while traversing the Babuyan Channel, before it makes landfall on Wednesday. PAGASA may raise a tropical cyclone wind signal by Tuesday.
In its 10 p.m. update, the weather bureau said Falcon still has maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour (kph) and gusts of up to 65 kph. It has also gained speed, moving northwest at 30 kph, five kph faster than its previous speed.
The center of Falcon was last spotted 855 kilometers east of Casiguran, Aurora.
It is expected to exit the country by Thursday.
