Signal No. 1 up in 3 areas as Salome moves west southwestward over Taiwan Sea

Signal No. 1 up in 3 areas as Salome moves west southwestward over Taiwan Sea

Three areas in Luzon are under Signal No. 1 as Tropical Depression Salome moves west southwestward over the sea east of Taiwan, PAGASA said Wednesday afternoon.

Based on its 5 p.m weather bulletin, Batanes, the western portion of Babuyan Islands (Calayan Is., Dalupiri Is.), and the northwestern portion of Ilocos Norte (Bangui, Pagudpud, Burgos, Pasuquin, Bacarra, Laoag City) are under Signal No. 1.

The state weather bureau said minimal to minor impacts from strong winds are possible within any of the areas under Wind Signal No. 1.

“The highest Wind Signal that will likely be hoisted throughout its passage is Wind Signal No. 1. However, the possibility of reaching tropical storm category is not ruled out, the worst case scenario is Wind Signal No. 2,” PAGASA said.

At 4 p.m., Salome was located 215 km North Northeast of Itbayat, Batanes, carrying maximum sustained winds of 55 km/h near the center and gusts of up to 70 km/h, and is moving west southwestward at 10 km/h.

State meteorologists said on Thursday, northeasterly windflow will bring strong to gale-force gusts over Batanes, Babuyan Islands, Cagayan, Ilocos Norte, and Ilocos Sur, which are not under any wind signal.

It added that Salome may pass close or make landfall over Batanes on Wednesday evening or early Thursday morning.

“This weather disturbance may also pass close or over Babuyan Islands by tomorrow morning, and in Ilocos Norte by tomorrow afternoon,” PAGASA said.

The storm is expected to move generally southwestward throughout the forecast period due to the High Pressure Area over mainland China.

It is likely to remain a tropical depression throughout the forecast period before weakening into a remnant low on Friday.

However, slight intensification into a tropical storm is not ruled out. — Mariel Celine Serquiña/RF, GMA Integrated News