Siony seen to intensify into typhoon but landfall uncertain

State weather bureau PAGASA on Tuesday said Tropical Storm Siony may develop into a typhoon prior to its "close approach" or landfall over extreme northern Luzon later this week.

“Siony is forecast to intensify into a severe tropical storm in the next 24 to 36 hours,” PAGASA said in its 11 a.m. bulletin.

“Intensification into Typhoon is likely on Thursday prior to close approach or landfall over Extreme Northern Luzon,” it added.

According to PAGASA, if ever Siony makes landfall, it would likely be over the Batanes-Babuyan Islands area on Friday.

Due to the projected quasi-stationary state of Siony, PAGASA noted that its forecast track still has a high degree of uncertainty.

Light to moderate with at times heavy rains are expected over Batanes, Apayao, Cagayan, and Isabela due to the combined effects of the northeasterlies and the trough of Siony.

PAGASA warned of flooding including flashfloods, and rain-induced landslides during heavy or prolonged rainfall in areas that are prone to these hazards.

Strong to near gale conditions with higher gusts can be experienced over Batanes, Babuyan Islands, and the northern portions of Cagayan and Ilocos Norte due to the northeasterlies enhanced by Rolly and Siony.

Rough to very rough seas up to 4.5 meters are expected over the seaboards of Northern Luzon due to the combined effects of Rolly, Siony, and the enhanced northeasterlies.

“Sea travel is risky over these waters, especially for those using small seacrafts,” PAGASA warned.

Moderate to rough seas up to 2.5 m can be encountered over the remaining seaboards of Luzon and the eastern seaboards of Visayas and Mindanao.

“Mariners of small seacrafts are advised to take precautionary measures when venturing out to sea. Inexperienced mariners should avoid navigating in these conditions,” PAGASA added.

At 10 a.m., Siony was located at 565 km East of Basco, Batanes with maximum sustained winds of 85 km per hour and gustiness of up to 105 km/h, moving east northeastward slowly.

According to PAGASA, Siony will move slowly or almost stationary in the next 24 hours. --KBK, GMA News