TROPICAL Storm Nika, moving west at 35 kilometers per hour (kph), is expected to gradually intensify into a severe tropical storm before landfall over Isabela or Aurora on Monday afternoon or evening, the state-run weather bureau said Saturday.
In its 5 p.m. bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) noted that the storm’s center was estimated at 1,005 kilometers east of Southeastern Luzon with maximum sustained winds at 65 kph near the center and gustiness of 80 kph.
Signal No. 1 is up in the southeastern portion of Isabela, the northern portion of Aurora, the southeastern portion of mainland Quezon, Pollilo Islands, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, and the northeastern portion of Albay.
Pagasa said the highest wind signal that could be hoisted during the storm is Signal No. 3.
The weather bureau also said the northeasterly wind flow will also bring strong to gale-force gusts over Batanes, northern Cagayan, including Babuyan Islands, and Ilocos Norte on Sunday.
“On the track forecast, it may make landfall over Isabela or Aurora on Monday afternoon or evening. Regardless of the position of the landfall point, it must be emphasized that hazards may still be experienced in areas outside the landfall point or forecast confidence cone,” the weather bureau said.
“This tropical cyclone is forecast to gradually intensify and may reach severe tropical storm category by Monday morning prior to landfall. Weakening is expected during its passage due to interaction with the terrain of mainland Luzon, but Nika will remain… a severe tropical storm,” it added.
From Monday afternoon to Tuesday afternoon, Cagayan, Apayao and Isabela are forecast to experience intense to torrential rainfall, while it will be heavy to intense in Abra, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur and Aurora. Ifugao and Quirino may also experience moderate to heavy rains during the forecast period.
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