Paeng maintains strength, Signal No. 1 raised over parts of Samar

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 has been raised over two areas as Tropical Depression Paeng maintained its strength over the Philippine Sea, according to PAGASA early Thursday morning.

In its 5 a.m. update, PAGASA said Paeng was estimated at 660 kilometers east of Borongan City, Eastern Samar, packing maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour near the center, gustiness of up to 70 km/h, and central pressure of 1000 hPa.

Paeng is moving west northwestward at 10 km/h with strong winds that extend outwards up to 460 km from the center.

TCWS No. 1 is hoisted over the following areas:

• the northern portion of Eastern Samar (San Julian, Sulat, Taft, Can-Avid, Dolores, Maslog, Oras, San Policarpo, Arteche, Jipapad, City of Borongan)
• the eastern portion of Northern Samar (Lapinig, Gamay, Mapanas, Palapag, Laoang, Pambujan, Catubig, Las Navas)

Heavy Rainfall

PAGASA said MIMAROPA, Bicol Region, Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, SOCCSKSARGEN, BARMM, Quezon, Agusan del Norte, Surigao del Norte, and Dinagat Islands will have cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms brought about by the Trough of Tropical Depression Paeng and shear line with possible flash floods or landslides due to moderate to at times heavy rains.

Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated light rains due to the northeast monsoon with no significant impact.

The rest of Mindanao will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms due to localized thunderstorm with possible flash floods or landslides during severe thunderstorms.

On Friday from early morning through evening there will be moderate to heavy with at times intense rains likely over Bicol Region, Eastern Visayas while light to moderate with at times heavy rains is forecasted over MIMAROPA, BARMM, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Caraga, Quezon, Cagayan, Isabela, Apayao, Aurora, and the rest of Visayas.

From Friday evening through Saturday, it is forecasted that heavy to torrential rains is possible over Bicol Region, Northern Samar, and Quezon and moderate to heavy with at times intense rains is possible over Metro Manila, Western Visayas, Aurora, Bulacan, Mindoro Provinces, Marinduque, Romblon, the eastern portions of Cagayan and Isabela, the rest of Eastern Visayas, and CALABARZON. There will be light to moderate with at times heavy rains possible over Cordillera Administrative Region, Zamboanga Peninsula, BARMM, and the rest of Visayas, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, and MIMAROPA.

Flooding and rain-induced landslides are expected over susceptible areas.

Severe Winds

"Strong winds may be experienced within any of the areas where Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1 is hoisted throughout the entire passage of Paeng," said PAGASA.

"Per latest track and intensity forecast, the highest wind signal that will likely be hoisted is Wind Signal No. 4, in anticipation of typhoon-force conditions associated with Paeng," the agency added.

Hazards affecting coastal areas

The weather bureau reported that with the northeast monsoon, a marine gale warning is in effect over the seaboards of Northern Luzon and the eastern seaboards of Central Luzon, Southern Luzon, and Visayas.

With the northern monsoon and the approaching storm, there moderate to rough seas over the eastern seaboard in Mindanao making the conditions risky for mariners who are advised to take precautionary measures.

Track and Intensity Outlook

"Tropical Depression Paeng is forecast to track generally west northwestward over the Philippine Sea through Sunday while moving towards the northern or central portion of Luzon," said PAGASA.

Landfall is possible on Sunday within any of the coastal areas along the eastern portions of Central Luzon or mainland Cagayan Valley.

"Paeng may further intensify while moving over warm waters of the Philippine Sea. It is forecast to reach tropical storm category within 24 hours and may become a typhoon by Saturday. The occurrence of rapid intensification in the next 72 hours is not ruled out," the bureau added. -- BAP, GMA News