‘Lawin’ grows stronger, continues to move in west-northwest direction

Typhoon Lawin (International name: Haima) grew stronger with maximum sustained winds of up to 205 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 255 kph, based on the weather update issued by PAGASA.

"Lawin," which was located early Wednesday morning 535 kilometers east of Casiguran in Aurora, is moving west northwest at 26 kph.

Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 2 is hoisted over Cagayan including Calayan Group of Islands, Isabela, Northern Aurora, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Apayao, Abra, Kalinga, Mt. Province, Ifugao, Benguet, Nueva Vizcaya and Qurino.

The areas under Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 1 are the Batanes group of Islands, La Union, Tarlac, Pangasinan, Nueva Ecija, the rest of Aurora, Zambales, Pampanga, Bulacan, Northern Quezon including Polillo Islands, Bataan, Rizal, Laguna, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes and Metro Manila.

Stormy weather with rough to very rough seas is expected over the regions of Cagayan Valley, Cordillera and the provinces of Ilocos Sur, Ilocos Norte and Aurora. 

The rest of Central Luzon and Ilocos Region, Metro Manila, Rizal, Laguna, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes and Northern Quezon including Polillo Islands will experience rains and gusty winds with moderate to rough seas.

Cloudy skies with light to moderate rainshowers and thunderstorms will prevail over the rest of the country. 

Moderate to strong winds blowing from the northeast to northwest will prevail over Luzon and coming from the southwest to west over the rest of the country. The coastal waters along these areas will be moderate to rough.

The public and the disaster risk reduction and management council concerned are advised to take appropriate actions and watch for the next weather bulletin to be issued at 8 a.m. on Wednesday. —BAP/KG, GMA News