TROPICAL Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) Number 2 has been raised in several areas in the country, particularly in Luzon and Visayas, as "Quinta" intensified into tropical storm as it moved closer toward the Catanduanes-Albay-Sorsogon area Sunday, October 25.
Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said Quinta was forecast to make landfall over the Catanduanes-Albay-Sorsogon area Sunday afternoon or evening.
As of 7 a.m. Sunday, the eye of the storm was located at 265 kilometers east of Virac, Catanduanes, with maximum sustained winds of 75 kilometers per hour (km/h) near the center and gusts of up to 90 km/h. It was moving westward at 20 km/h.
Pagasa hoisted TCWS Number 2 in Catanduanes, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Albay, Sorsogon, the northern portion of Masbate (Milagros, Masbate City, Mobo, Baleno, Aroroy, Mandaon, Uson) including Burias and Ticao Islands, the central and southern portions of Quezon (Mauban, Sampaloc, Lucban, Dolores, Candelaria, Tiaong, San Antonio, Sariaya, Tayabas City, Lucena City, Pagbilao, Atimonan, Perez, Alabat, Calauag, Quezon, Tagkawayan, Guinayangan, Lopez, Pitogo, Plaridel, Gumaca, Unisan, Agdangan, Padre Burgos, Macalelon, Catanauan, General Luna, Buenavista, San Narciso, Mulanay, San Andres, San Francisco), the eastern portion of Batangas (Padre Garcia, Rosario, Ibaan, Batangas City, Lobo, Taysan, San Juan), Marinduque, Romblon, and Oriental Mindoro in Luzon, and Northern Samar in the Visayas.
TCWS 1 was raised over the rest of Masbate, the rest of Quezon, Laguna, Rizal, the rest of Batangas, Cavite, Metro Manila, Bulacan, Pampanga, Bataan, the southern portion of Zambales (San Marcelino, San Felipe, San Narciso, Castillejos, Subic, San Antonio, Olongapo City, Botolan, Cabangan), Occidental Mindoro, and Calamian Islands in Luzon, and the northern portion of Samar (Calbayog City, Matuguinao, Tagapul-An, Santo Nino, Almagro, Santa Margarita, Gandara, San Jose de Buan, Pagsanghan, Tarangnan, San Jorge, Catbalogan City, Jiabong, Motiong, Paranas), the northern portion of Eastern Samar (Maslog, Jipapad, Arteche, San Policarpo, Oras, Dolores, Can-Avid, Taft), the northern portion of Capiz (Sapi-An, Ivisan, Roxas City, Panay), Aklan, and the northern portion of Antique (Caluya, Libertad, Pandan, Sebaste, Culasi) in the Visayas.
Pagasa said Quinta was forecast to continue moving generally westward until its landfall Sunday afternoon or evening. Afterwards, it will traverse the Southern Luzon area until Monday afternoon or evening, then turn more west-northwestward over the West Philippine Sea. It is likely to exit the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) on Tuesday afternoon, October 27.
Pagasa said Quinta may further intensify prior to landfall over Bicol Region.
"The possibility of Quinta making landfall as a severe tropical storm is still not ruled out," it said.
It added that after crossing the Philippine archipelago, Quinta will continue to intensify over the West Philippine Sea, reaching typhoon category by Tuesday evening.
Pagasa warned that gale conditions will be experienced in areas under TCWS 2, while strong breeze to near gale conditions will be experienced in areas under TCWS 1.
In other areas, strong breeze to gale conditions will also prevail over Batanes, Babuyan Islands, and the northern coastal areas of Ilocos Norte and mainland Cagayan due to the northeasterly surge, it said.
The weather bureau also said that today, October 25, rough to very rough seas will prevail over the entire seaboards of northern Luzon and the seaboards of Aurora, Zambales, northern Palawan including Calamian and Kalayaan Islands, and all areas under TCWS 2 and 1.
"Sea travel is risky over these waters, especially for small seacrafts," it added. (LMY/SunStar Philippines)