Stormy night as north Luzon braces for #CrisingPH; possible Cagayan landfall
Metro Manila, Philippines - Ten areas in northern Luzon remain under Signal No. 2 as Tropical Storm Crising maintained its strength while moving closer to Cagayan province, where it could make landfall Friday night, July 18.
“Stormy conditions are imminent over northern Luzon tonight,” weather bureau PAGASA (Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical Astronomical Service Administration) said in its 5 pm update.
“Crising” was last spotted 135 kilometers east northeast of Tuguegarao City, Cagayan, moving northwest at 20 kph (kilometers per hour). It has maximum sustained winds of 75 kph near the center and gusts of up to 105 kph.
PAGASA said the “Crising” may reach severe tropical storm status - defined by winds of 87 to 117 kph - by Friday evening or Saturday morning. It may make landfall over mainland Cagayan or the Babuyan Islands late Friday.
As of 4 pm, the storm was 135 kilometers east northeast of Tuguegarao City, Cagayan. It is moving northwestward at 20 kph and may make landfall over mainland Cagayan or the Babuyan Islands Friday night.
Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2 is up in:
+ Batanes
+ Cagayan including Babuyan Islands
+ Isabela
+ Apayao
+ Kalinga
+ northern and central portions of Abra (Manabo, Pidigan, San Juan, Tayum, Langiden, Boliney, Sallapadan, Bucloc, Lagangilang, Danglas, La Paz, Licuan-Baay, Tineg, Malibcong, Peñarrubia, San Isidro, Daguioman, San Quintin, Dolores, Lagayan, Bangued, Bucay, Lacub
+ eastern portion of Mountain Province (Natonin, Paracelis
+ eastern portion of Ifugao (Aguinaldo, Alfonso Lista)
+ Ilocos Norte
+ northern portion of Ilocos Sur (Cabugao, Sinait, Magsingal, San Juan, San Ildefonso, Santo Domingo, Bantay, San Vicente, Santa Catalina, Caoayan, City of Vigan, Santa)
PAGASA warned of gale-force winds posing a “minor to moderate threat to life and property.”
Meanwhile, Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 has been raised in the following areas:
+ Quirino
+ Nueva Vizcaya
+ rest of Mountain Province
+ rest of Ifugao
+ rest of Abra
+ Benguet
+ rest of Ilocos Sur
+ La Union
+ northern portion of Pangasinan (San Nicolas, Natividad, San Quintin, San Manuel, Tayug, Sison, San Fabian, Pozorrubio, Laoac, Binalonan, San Jacinto, Manaoag, Mangaldan, Dagupan City, Binmaley, Lingayen, Labrador, Sual, City of Alaminos, Bolinao, Anda, Bani, Agno, Burgos, Mabini, Dasol, Calasiao, Santa Barbara, Mapandan, Bugallon)
+ northern portion of Aurora (Dilasag, Casiguran, Dinalungan, Dipaculao, Baler, Maria Aurora)
+ northeastern portion of Nueva Ecija (Carranglan, Pantabangan)
PAGASA said “Crising” will cut through extreme northern Luzon and exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility Saturday afternoon.
In addition to Crising, the southwest monsoon (habagat) continues to affect Central and Southern Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
PAGASA warned of possible floods and landslides due to heavy to intense rains in several areas, including: Batanes, Cagayan, Isabela, Apayao, Abra, Kalinga, Ilocos Norte, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Ilocos Sur, Aurora, the rest of Ilocos Region, the rest of Cordillera Administrative Region, and the rest of Cagayan Valley.
Moderate to heavy monsoon rains are also expected in: Metro Manila, Zambales, Bataan, Cavite, Batangas, Occidental Mindoro, Palawan, Western Visayas, Negros Island Region, the rest of Luzon, Central Visayas, and the Zamboanga Peninsula. Scattered rain showers and thunderstorms are forecast nationwide over the next 24 hours.
