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 Kabugao, Apayao (18.2°N, 121.2°E)
• Intensity:
Maximum sustained winds of 100 km/h near the center, gustiness of up to 165 km/h, and central pressure of 990 hPa
• Present Movement:
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)
LUZON:
Ilocos Norte, Apayao, the southern portion of Babuyan Islands (Camiguin Is., Fuga Is., Dalupiri Is.), and mainland Cagayan
–Potential impacts of winds: Moderate to significant threat to life and property
•TCWS No. 2: (Gale-force winds prevailing or expected within 24 hours)
LUZON:
Ifugao, Mountain Province, Kalinga, Abra, Ilocos Sur, Isabela and the rest of Babuyan Islands
–Potential impacts of winds: Minor to moderate threat to life and property
•TCWS No. 1: (Strong winds prevailing or expected within 36 hours)
LUZON:
La Union, the eastern portion of Pangasinan (Umingan, San Fabian, Sison, Pozorrubio, San Jacinto, Laoac, Binalonan, San Manuel, Asingan, Tayug, Santa Maria, San Quintin, Natividad, San Nicolas), Benguet, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, the northern portion of Nueva Ecija (Carranglan, Lupao, San Jose City, Pantabangan), and the northern and central portions of Aurora (Maria Aurora, Dipaculao, Dinalungan, Casiguran, Dilasag
–Potential impacts of winds: Minimal to minor threat to life and property
Wind Signals in other areas are hereby lifted.
HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND AREAS
Heavy Rainfall
• Today: Heavy to intense with at times torrential rains over Cagayan including Babuyan Islands, Cordillera Administrative Region, Ilocos Region, Zambales, and Bataan. Moderate to heavy rains over Metro Manila, Isabela, Tarlac, Pampanga, Cavite, and the rest of Cagayan Valley.
Light to moderate with at times heavy rains over the rest of Central Luzon and 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 Zambales, Bataan, and the rest of Cordillera Administrative Region.
• 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 PM 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, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Bulacan, Mindoro Provinces, Marinduque, Romblon, Northern Samar, Antique, Aklan, CALABARZON, Bicol Region, and the remaining municipalities of Pangasinan and Aurora that are not in the Wind Signal.
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 #4 issued at 5:00 PM 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.
