Signal No. 1 up over 9 areas as Maring continues to take in Nando remnant

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 was raised early Sunday over nine areas as Tropical Storm Maring (international name: Kompasu) continues to merge with a low pressure area, the remnant of the former Tropical Depression Nando, PAGASA said.

TCWS No. 1 is in effect over the following areas:

1. Catanduanes;
2. Batanes;
3. Cagayan including Babuyan Islands;
4. the northeastern portion of Isabela (Santa Maria, Cabagan, Tumauini, San Pablo, Maconacon, Divilacan, Palanan, Ilagan City, San Mariano);
5. Eastern Samar;
6. the eastern portion of Northern Samar (San Roque, Pambujan, Las Navas, Catubig, Laoang, Mapanas, Lapinig, Gamay, Palapag, Mondragon, Silvino Lobos);
7. the eastern portion of Samar (Matuguinao, San Jose de Buan, Hinabangan, Paranas);
8. Dinagat Islands; and
9. Surigao del Norte

These areas have strong winds (strong breeze to near gale conditions) with higher gusts prevailing or may expect within 36 hours, which may cause very light damage to structures and vegetation.

Rainfall

Rains are to be expected on Sunday over Western Visayas, Palawan and Occidental Mindoro due to the gradual enhancement of the southwesterlies.

Moderate to heavy rains due to Maring meanwhile are possible in the next 24 hours over Eastern Samar and Catanduanes.

Light to moderate rains, heavy at times, may also be expected over the Bicol Region, Caraga, and the rest of Visayas. Flooding and landslides may occur in areas prone to these hazards.

Winds

Occasional gusts to strong breeze and near gale conditions may be felt in the next 24 hours over the coastal and upland/mountain areas of Extreme Northern Luzon, Mimaropa, the Bicol Region, Visayas, Caraga, and Northern Mindanao areas that are not under TCWS.

This is due to the expansive wind field of Maring as well as the gradual enhancement of the southwesterlies and northeasterlies.

Coastal waters

A gale warning was hoisted over the eastern seaboards of the country due to the threat from Maring and the northeasterly wind flow.

The seas will be moderate to rough in the next 24 hours in the remaining seaboards of Luzon and Visayas, and Mindanao's northern seaboard. Sea travel would be risky for those with small seacraft. PAGASA advises mariners to avoid navigating in these conditions. 

Location

At 4 a.m., the eye of Maring was located at 665 km east of Virac, Catanduanes.

It has maximum sustained winds of 85 km/h near the center, gustiness of up to 105 km/h, and central pressure of 992 hPa.

From the eye, strong winds or higher than that category extend outwards up to 750 km.

Maring is moving northward at 10 km/h.

Merging

Maring continues to merge with the remnant low pressure area of Tropical Depression Nando, and the process may be completed in the next six to 12 hours.

After the merger is completed, "the merger cyclone is forecast to gradually intensify within the forecast period," PAGASA said.

This means the merger cyclone may become a severe tropical storm in the next 24 to 36 hours.

Track

Maring is expected to accelerate and move north northwestward over the Philippine Sea in the next 12 hours even as it continues to assimilate the low pressure area remnant of Nando.

From there, Maring is forecast to move west northwestward towards Extreme Northern Luzon.

It is then seen to move over the Luzon Strait, and pass near or over the Babuyan Islands between Monday evening and Tuesday morning.

Landfall by Maring remains a possibility.

Starting Tuesday and throughout the forecast period, Maring will move generally westward over the West Philippine Sea.

PAGASA advised the public and disaster risk reduction and management offices concerned to take the necessary precautions.

The next weather bulletin will be issued at 11 a.m. —KG, GMA News