8 areas in Luzon still under Signal No. 1 due to Paeng

Eight areas in Luzon remain under Signal Number 1 as severe tropical storm Paeng continues to move farther away from the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), the weather bureau PAGASA reported on Monday.

In its 5 p.m. bulletin, PAGASA said storm signal number one remains hoisted over the following areas in North Luzon due to Paeng:

• Abra
• Western portion of Benguet (Tuba, Baguio City, Kapangan, Atok, Kibungan, La Trinidad, Sablan, Tublay, Bakun)
• Southern portion of Ilocos Norte (Badoc, Pinili, Banna, Nueva Era, City of Batac, Paoay, Marcos, Currimao, Dingras, Solsona, Sarrat, San Nicolas, Laoag City, Piddig)
• Ilocos Sur
• La Union
• Central and western portions of Pangasinan (Basista, Lingayen, Villasis, City of Alaminos, Anda, Malasiqui, San Fabian, Urbiztondo, Bautista, Mangaldan, Mapandan, Burgos, Dagupan City, Binalonan, Bolinao, Aguilar, Alcala, Sual, Labrador, Bani, Santo Tomas, Pozorrubio, City of Urdaneta, Laoac, Mangatarem, Mabini, San Carlos City, Manaoag, Binmaley, San Jacinto, Bugallon, Bayambang, Infanta, Agno, Calasiao, Santa Barbara, Dasol, Sison)
• Central and western portions of Tarlac (San Jose, Mayantoc, Capas, San Clemente, Santa Ignacia, Camiling, Moncada, Paniqui, Gerona, City of Tarlac, Bamban)
• Northern and central portions of Zambales (Botolan, Iba, Candelaria, Cabangan, Palauig, Santa Cruz, Masinloc, San Felipe)

Affected areas may continue to experience strong winds, PAGASA said. A marine gale warning also remains in effect over most seaboards of Luzon brought about by the influence of Paeng and the surge of the Northeast Monsoon.

“Paeng may also bring moderate to rough seas (1.5 to 3.0 m) over the western seaboard of Visayas,” the weather bureau said.

“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,” it added.

Paeng exited the PAR at 12:10 p.m. on Monday. It is forecast to track northward in the next 12 hours before gradually turning northwestward to west-northwestward towards southern China.

It is also expected to reach the typhoon category Monday evening or Tuesday. After reaching its peak intensity, a weakening trend is expected by Wednesday.

The center of Paeng was last seen 400 kilometers west of Sinait, Ilocos Sur outside PAR. It is moving north-northwestward at 15 kilometers per hour and has maximum sustained winds of 110 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 135 km/h.

Queenie accelerates 

Meanwhile, tropical storm Queenie has maintained its strength while it accelerated west-southwestward over the Philippine Sea.

It has no direct effect over the country’s landmass, PAGASA said, but wind signals may be hoisted over the eastern portion of Caraga and in some areas in Eastern Visayas Tuesday evening.

Queenie is forecast to maintain its strength in the next 12 hours. It is expected to weaken into a tropical depression by Tuesday morning or evening and may further weaken into a remnant low by Thursday or possibly earlier.

The center of the tropical cyclone was last spotted 695 km east-southeast of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur. It is moving west-southwestward at 25 km/h while packing maximum sustained winds of 65 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 80 km/h. —NB, GMA News