More areas under Signal No. 2 as 'Kiyapo' slightly intensifies

MANILA, Philippines — More areas in Northern Luzon were placed under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2 on Friday as Tropical Storm Kiyapo (international name: Noul) slightly intensified and moved closer to Extreme Northern Luzon.

In its 11 a.m. bulletin on Friday, July 24, PAGASA said Kiyapo was spotted 135 kilometers east of Aparri, Cagayan, packing maximum sustained winds of 75 kilometers per hour near the center, gustiness of up to 90 kph and a central pressure of 996 hectopascals.

Kiyapo is moving westward at 30 kph.

Wind signals. The following areas are under Signal No. 2:

  • Batanes
  • northern portion of Cagayan (Santa Ana, Gonzaga, Santa Teresita, Camalaniugan, Aparri, Ballesteros, Abulug, Pamplona, Sanchez-Mira, Claveria, Santa Praxedes, Buguey, Allacapan, Lal-Lo, Gattaran, Baggao and Lasam), including the Babuyan Islands
  • northern portion of Apayao (Luna, Santa Marcela, Calanasan, Pudtol and Flora)
  • northern portion of Ilocos Norte (Pagudpud, Dumalneg, Adams, Bangui, Burgos and Vintar)

Under Signal No. 2, gale-force winds ranging from 62 to 88 kph may be experienced within 24 hours, posing a minor to moderate threat to life and property.

Meanwhile, the following areas are under Signal No. 1:

  • rest of mainland Cagayan
  • Isabela
  • Quirino
  • Nueva Vizcaya
  • rest of Apayao
  • Abra
  • Kalinga
  • Mountain Province
  • Ifugao
  • Benguet
  • rest of Ilocos Norte
  • Ilocos Sur
  • La Union
  • northern and central portions of Aurora (Dilasag, Casiguran, Dinalungan and Dipaculao)

Under Signal No. 1, strong winds ranging from 39 to 61 kph may be experienced within 36 hours, posing minimal to minor threats to life and property.

PAGASA said Signal No. 3 is not ruled out should Kiyapo intensify into a severe tropical storm while traversing the Batanes-Babuyan Islands area.

Strong winds. PAGASA said the southwest monsoon and the periphery of Kiyapo will continue to bring strong to gale-force gusts over most of the country on Friday, especially in coastal and upland areas exposed to winds.

On Saturday, July 25, gusty conditions are expected over most of Luzon and Visayas, as well as Zamboanga del Norte and Davao Oriental. By Sunday, July 26, strong to gale-force gusts may affect the Ilocos Region, MIMAROPA, Zambales, Bataan and Quezon.

Sea conditions. A gale warning remains in effect over the northern seaboard of Northern Luzon.

Very rough seas with waves of up to 5.5 meters are expected over the seaboards of Batanes and the Babuyan Islands, while waves of up to 4.5 meters are forecast over the northern seaboards of mainland Cagayan and Ilocos Norte. Sea travel is risky for all types of vessels, and mariners are advised to remain in port or seek shelter.

Rough seas with waves of up to 3 meters are expected over the remaining seaboards of mainland Cagayan and Ilocos Norte, the northeastern seaboard of Isabela, the northern seaboard of Ilocos Sur and the eastern seaboard of Davao Oriental. Small seacraft, including motor bancas, are advised not to venture out, especially if inexperienced or operating ill-equipped vessels.

Moderate to rough seas with waves of up to 2.5 meters are forecast over the seaboards of Zambales, Surigao del Sur, the northern seaboard of Aurora, the western seaboard of Pangasinan and the remaining seaboards of Isabela and Ilocos Sur.

Waves of up to 2 meters are expected over the seaboards of the Cuyo Islands, Kalayaan Islands, Cagayancillo Islands, Davao Occidental, La Union, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, the Polillo Islands, Catanduanes, Albay, Sorsogon, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Dinagat Islands, Siargao-Bucas Grande Islands, Bataan, Occidental Mindoro including Lubang Islands, mainland Palawan including the Calamian Islands, Negros Occidental, Antique, Iloilo, Guimaras, Negros Oriental, Davao Oriental and Sarangani.

PAGASA advised operators of motor bancas and similarly sized vessels to take precautionary measures and, if possible, avoid sailing in affected waters.

Track, intensity. PAGASA said Kiyapo will continue moving west-northwestward until Saturday toward the Luzon Strait before turning northwestward to northward.

The tropical storm may pass close to the northeastern portion of mainland Cagayan between Friday morning and afternoon before passing very close to or making landfall in the vicinity of the Babuyan Islands between Friday afternoon and evening.

Kiyapo is forecast to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility by Saturday morning.

PAGASA said Kiyapo is expected to continue intensifying and may become a severe tropical storm after passing the Babuyan Islands.

While over the West Philippine Sea, it may undergo rapid intensification and reach typhoon strength before making landfall over southern mainland China. It is expected to weaken as it moves inland and interacts with the terrain of mainland China.

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