Rolly continues to intensify, takes aim at Aurora-Quezon area

Typhoon Rolly continued to intensify on Friday morning as it headed toward the Aurora-Quezon area for possible landfall, according to the latest PAGASA bulletin.

Based on its current movement, Rolly is expected to make landfall on Sunday evening or Monday early morning.

"'ROLLY' is forecast to move west-southwestward this afternoon until Saturday evening," PAGASA said in its 11 a.m. bulletin on Friday.

"Afterwards, the typhoon will turn west-northwestward as it moves over the sea off the coast of Bicol Region towards the eastern coast of Aurora-Quezon area."

PAGASA said Rolly is expected to "continuously intensify" over the Philippine Sea and is likely to make landfall at peak intensity of 175-185 km/h.

No Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal has been raised as of Friday morning, but Signal No. 1 may be raised over several provinces in the Bicol Region in the afternoon in anticipation of the arrival of strong breeze to near-gale conditions.

PAGASA earlier said Signal Nos. 3 and 4 may be declared in some areas.

At 10 a.m. Friday, the eye of Typhoon Rolly was located based on all available data at 1,100 km east of Central Luzon.

Meanwhile, the typhoon's trough is expected to bring light to moderate with at times heavy rains over the Bicol Region, Visayas, Caraga, Northern Mindanao, and Zamboanga Peninsula as Typhoon Rolly continues to intensify while moving westward over the Philippine Sea.

Rolly is also expected to bring heavy to intense rains over the Northern and Central Luzon and Bicol Region, especially those areas along its track starting Saturday or Sunday.  

Cyclone outside PAR

Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Atsani, which was still outside PAR, was estimated at 2,150 km east of Mindanao at 10 a.m. on Friday, with maximum sustained winds of 65 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 80 kph. Atsani is moving west-northwestward at 35 kph.

Atsani will likely enter PAR on Sunday or Monday, PAGASA said, citing available meteorological data.

PAGASA said Atsani is less likely to bring severe weather over any part of the country over the next three days.

Once inside PAR, Atsani will be assigned the local name Siony.  —Jamil Santos/KBK, GMA News