“FLORITA” MAINTAINS ITS STRENGTH AND IS NOW IN THE VICINITY OF ALCALA, CAGAYAN

Location of Center (1:00 PM): The center of Severe Tropical Storm “FLORITA” was estimated based on all available data including those from Aparri Doppler Weather Radar in the vicinity of Alcala, Cagayan (17.9°N, 121.7°E)

Intensity: Maximum sustained winds of 110 km/h near the center, gustiness of up to 185 km/h, and central pressure of 985 hPa

Present Movement: West Northwestward at 20 km/h

Extent of Tropical Cyclone Winds: Strong to storm-force winds extend outwards up to 300 km from the center

TROPICAL CYCLONE WIND SIGNALS (TCWS) IN EFFECT

TCWS No.3 (Storm-force winds prevailing or expected within 18 hours)

The northern portion of Ilocos Norte (Adams, Dumalneg, Bangui, Burgos, Pasuquin, Vintar, Pagudpud, Carasi, Bacarra, Piddig), Apayao, the southern portion of Babuyan Islands (Camiguin Is., Fuga Is., Dalupiri Is.), mainland Cagayan, the northeastern portion of Isabela (Palanan, Divilacan, Maconacon, San Pablo, Tumauini, Cabagan, Santa Maria, Santo Tomas, Delfin Albano, Ilagan City, San Mariano)

Potential impacts of winds: Moderate to significant threat to life and property

TCWS No.2 (Gale-force winds prevailing or expected within 24 hours)

The rest of Babuyan Islands, the rest of Isabela, Quirino, the northern and eastern portion of Nueva Vizcaya (Quezon, Diadi, Bagabag, Villaverde, Solano, Kasibu), Abra, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, the northern portion of Benguet (Buguias, Bakun, Mankayan, Kibungan), the rest of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, and the northern portion of Aurora (Dilasag, Casiguran, Dinalungan, Dipaculao)

Potential impacts of winds: Minor to moderate threat to life and property

TCWS No.1 (Strong winds prevailing or expected within 36 hours)

Batanes, the rest of Nueva Vizcaya, the rest of Benguet, La Union, the eastern portion of Pangasinan (Santo Tomas, Villasis, Mapandan, Mangaldan, San Fabian, San Jacinto, Manaoag, City of Urdaneta, Rosales, Balungao, Umingan, San Quintin, Natividad, San Nicolas, Tayug, Santa Maria, Asingan, San Manuel, Binalonan, Sison, Pozorrubio, Laoac, Dagupan City), the northeastern portion of Tarlac (San Manuel, Anao), Nueva Ecija, the rest of Aurora

Potential impacts of winds: Minimal to minor threat to life and property

HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND AREAS

Heavy Rainfall

• Today: Heavy to intense with at times torrential rains over Cagayan including Babuyan Islands, Isabela, Cordillera Administrative Region, Ilocos Region, Zambales, and Bataan. Moderate to heavy with at times intense rains over the northern portion of Aurora, Tarlac, Pampanga, Bulacan, Metro Manila, Cavite, Rizal, and the rest of Cagayan Valley. Light to moderate with at times heavy rains over the rest of Central Luzon and the rest of CALABARZON.

• Tomorrow: Moderate to heavy with at times intense rains over Ilocos Region, Benguet, and Abra. Light to moderate with at times heavy rains over the rest of Cordillera Administrative Region, Zambales, and Bataan.

• Under these conditions, scattered to widespread flooding (including flash floods) and rain-induced landslides are expected especially in areas that are highly or very highly susceptible to these hazard as identified in hazard maps, and in localities with significant antecedent rainfall.

• In the next 24 hours, the Southwest Monsoon will also bring rains over Western Visayas and MIMAROPA. For more information, refer to the Weather Advisory #4 issued at 11:00 AM today and the 24-Hour Public Weather Forecast issued at 4:00 AM today.

Severe Winds

• Throughout the passage of FLORITA, winds may reach storm-force in strength in any of the areas where Wind Signal No. 3 is hoisted, while winds may reach gale-force in strength in any of the areas where Wind Signal no. 2 is hoisted. Strong winds (strong breeze to near gale strength) will be experienced within any of the areas where Wind Signal no. 1 is currently in effect.

• In the next 24 hours, gusts reaching strong breeze to near gale strength may also be experienced (especially in the coastal and mountainous areas) over Metro Manila, Zambales, Bataan, Mindoro Provinces, Marinduque, Romblon, Northern Samar, Antique, Aklan, CALABARZON and Bicol Region.

HAZARDS AFFECTING COASTAL WATERS

• Under the influence of Severe Tropical Storm “FLORITA” and the prevailing Southwest Monsoon, a Gale Warning remains in effect over the seaboards of Northern and Central Luzon, most of the seaboards of Southern Luzon, and western seaboard of Visayas. For more information, refer to Gale Warning #3 issued at 5:00 AM today.

• In the next 24 hours, “FLORITA” and the Southwest Monsoon will also bring moderate to rough seas over the remaining seaboards of Southern Luzon and Visayas (1.2 to 2.8 m). These conditions may be risky for those using small seacrafts. Mariners are advised to take precautionary measures when venturing out to sea and, if possible, avoid navigating in these conditions.

TRACK AND INTENSITY OUTLOOK

• Severe Tropical Storm “FLORITA” will continue moving generally northwestward or west northwestward and is forecast to traverse the mainland Cagayan and Apayao. Afterwards, “FLORITA” will emerge over the Babuyan Channel tonight. On the forecast track, “FLORITA” may exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) tomorrow morning.

• The frictional effects of the rugged terrain of Northern Luzon will cause “FLORITA” to slightly weaken. Once over the West Philippine Sea, the tropical cyclone is forecast to re-intensify.

Considering these developments, the public and disaster risk reduction and management offices concerned are advised to take all necessary measures to protect life and property. Persons living in areas identified to be highly or very highly susceptible to these hazards are advised to follow evacuation and other instructions from local officials. For heavy rainfall warnings, thunderstorm/rainfall advisories, and other severe weather information specific to your area, please monitor products issued by your local PAGASA Regional Services Division.

The next tropical cyclone bulletin will be issued at 5:00 PM today.

DOST-PAGASA

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