Signal No. 1 raised in 14 areas as Tropical Storm Ada maintains strength

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 is hoisted over 14 areas as Tropical Storm Ada moves slowly northwestward while maintaining its strength, the state weather bureau PAGASA said. 

According to the 11 p.m. weather bulletin, the following areas will experience winds of 39-61 kilometers per hour in at least 36 hours or intermittent rains may be expected within the same amount of time.

Luzon 

• The eastern and southern portions of Camarines Sur (Caramoan, Presentacion, Garchitorena, Siruma, Tinambac, Ocampo, Goa, Lagonoy, Milaor, Nabua, Buhi, Baao, Cabusao, Bato, Camaligan, Pili, Tigaon, Pamplona, Iriga City, San Fernando, Magarao, Minalabac, Balatan, Libmanan, Naga City, Calabanga, Bombon, Bula, Canaman, Pasacao, Sagñay, San Jose, Gainza)
• Catanduanes
•  Albay
• Sorsogon
•  The eastern portion of mainland Masbate (Pio V. Corpuz, Cataingan, Palanas, Dimasalang, Uson, Mobo, City of Masbate, Baleno, Aroroy) including Ticao and Burias Islands

Visayas 

• Northern Samar
•  Samar
• Eastern Samar
• Biliran
• The northern and central portions of Leyte (Carigara, Barugo, San Miguel, Babatngon, Tacloban City, Tunga, Jaro, Alangalang, Santa Fe, Palo, Dagami, Pastrana, Tanauan, Tabontabon, Julita, Dulag, Tolosa, La Paz, Mayorga, Macarthur, Javier, Abuyog, Mahaplag, Kananga, Capoocan, Leyte, Calubian, San Isidro, Tabango, Burauen, Ormoc City, Matag-Ob, Villaba, Albuera, Palompon, Merida, Isabel, City of Baybay)
• The eastern portion of Southern Leyte (Silago, Sogod, Libagon, Saint Bernard, Hinunangan, Hinundayan, Anahawan, San Juan, Liloan, San Ricardo, San Francisco, Pintuyan)

Mindanao 

• Dinagat Islands
• Surigao del Norte
• Surigao del Sur 

The center of Ada was last monitored 385 kilometers east of Surigao City, Surigao del Norte, said PAGASA. It has maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 80 kmh. 

State meteorologists said Ada will move generally northwestward today through Saturday, January 17 before turning slowly north northwestward to north northeastward by Sunday, January 18. 

“Beginning Tuesday (20 January), ADA is forecast to move southeastward while moving over the sea east of Bicol Region. On the forecast track, the center of ADA may pass close to Eastern Samar and Northern Samar by Saturday and Catanduanes by Sunday,” said PAGASA.

“A further westward shift in the forecast track may result in a possible landfall over Eastern Visayas and Bicol Region. The track forecast may change in succeeding bulletins, especially for the Saturday or Sunday period.” 

Further, Ada is forecast to gradually intensify over the next 48 hours before it weakens as it turns northeastward over the sea east of Catanduanes. 

PAGASA also said that heavy rainfall and severe winds may still be experienced in areas outside the landfall point. — Vince Angelo Ferreras/RF, GMA Integrated News