Signal No. 1 Up in 4 Areas as TS ‘Luis’ Threatens N. Luzon

Manila (PNA) — At least four areas in Northern Luzon are now under public storm warning signal No. 1 as tropical storm (TS) “Luis” which has maintained its strength now threatens Luzon area, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said on Saturday.

PAGASA weather forecaster Alvin Pura told the Philippines News Agency (PNA) that Isabela, southern part of Cagayan, northern Aurora and Catanduanes are now under public storm warning signal No. 1 as winds of 30-60 kph is expected in at least 36 hours.

“Residents in low lying and mountainous areas under signal #1 are alerted against possible flashfloods and landslides,” PAGASA said

The estimated rainfall amount is from 7.5–20 mm per hour (heavy to intense) within the 400 km diameter of the tropical storm.

Pura said the as of 6 a.m. Saturday, the center of TS “Luis” was located at 460 km east of Virac, Catanduanes (13.7°N, 128.9°E) packed with maximum sustained winds of 75 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 90 kph.

He added it continues to move west northwest but decelerated its speed from 26 kph on Friday afternoon to 17 kph on Saturday morning.

If it maintains its speed and movement, Pura said TS “Luis” is expected to make landfall in Isabela province by Monday evening.

He also said since TS “Luis” is still in the sea it may expected to intensify into typhoon category.

Pura said with the combined effect of TS “Luis” and the southwest monsoon will bring light to moderate rains and thunderstorms in Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon) Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon ad Palawan), Bicol Region and Visayas.

He added the rest of Luzon, including Metro Manila and the Mindanao, will be partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms.

PAGASA said that TS Luis is expected to be at 250 km northeast of Virac, Catanduanes by Sunday morning, then by Monday morning is expected to be at 90 km southeast of Tuguegarao City and Tuesday morning is to be at 360 km northwest of Laoag City.

The state weather bureau also advised fishing boats and other small seacrafts not to venture out into the Eastern seaboard of Southern Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao due to southwest monsoon as enhanced by tropical storm Luis.

For Saturday forecast, Catanduanes will experience rains with gusty winds while Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol Region and Visayas will experience cloudy skies with light to moderate rainshowers and thunderstorms.

It added the rest of Luzon including Metro Manila will be partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms.

PAGASA also said moderate to strong winds blowing from the southwest to west will prevail over Southern Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao and the coastal waters along these areas will be moderate to rough.

Elsewhere, winds will be light to moderate coming from southwest with slight to moderate seas. (PNA) JBP/CLTC