Typhoon Lawin intensifies, might graze Cagayan on Thursday – PAGASA

Typhoon Lawin (Jelawat) intensified further before noon Tuesday —with winds now in excess of 200 kph— but continued to move north-northwest, state weather forecasters said. Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Ewiniar —located just outside the PAR— is expected to move north toward Japan, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency's (JMA's) 8:45 a.m. update.

^{Satellite image showing the positions of Typhoon Lawin (Jelawat) and Tropical Storm Ewiniar in the 24 hours ending 11 a.m.}  

PAGASA's 11 a.m. advisory said Lawin was estimated at 520 km east of Casiguran, Aurora, as of 10 a.m.Tuesday, with maximum sustained winds of 205 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 240 kph.

 

It was forecast to move north-northwest at 11 kph and may be 395 km east of Tuguegarao City by Wednesday morning, and 160 km east of Aparri, Cagayan Thursday morning.

 

By Friday morning, it is forecast to be 95 km northwest of Calayan Island.

 

Under Storm Signal No. 1 are the provinces of Isabela and Cagayan, as well as Calayan and Babuyan Islands.

 

"Residents living in low-lying and mountainous areas under public storm warning signal #1 are alerted against possible flash floods and landslides," PAGASA said.

 

While PAGASA forecasters earlier said Lawin may make landfall over extreme Northern Luzon, the US Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) indicated there is little chance of landfall taking place.

 

But PAGASA also said Lawin may bring rainfall of 10 to 20 mm per hour (heavy to intense) within its 800-km diameter, which includes parts of eastern Luzon and the Visayas.

 

PAGASA added that Lawin may enhance the southwest monsoon, which may bring moderate to heavy rain over Southern Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

 

Meanwhile, PAGASA reminded fishing boats and other small seacraft not to venture into the northern and eastern seaboards of Luzon and the seaboards of Visayas and Mindanao due to big waves generated by Typhoon Lawin.  — TJD/YA, GMA News