Signal No. 1 still up in 3 areas as Salome maintains strength

Three areas in Northern Luzon are still under Signal No. 1 as Tropical Depression Salome maintained its strength, PAGASA said Wednesday evening.

Based on PAGASA’s 8 p.m. weather bulletin, Signal No. 1 is hoisted in 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).

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

“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,” it added.

At 7 p.m., Salome was located 160 km 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 southward at 25 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.

PAGASA 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,” the agency said.

The storm was predicted 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