Signal No. 3 remains over eastern Isabela as Goring moves near Aurora

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 3 remained hoisted over the eastern portion of Isabela as Super Typhoon Goring (international name: Saola) continued to maintain its strength while moving southward east northeast of Casiguran, Aurora, PAGASA said early Sunday afternoon.

As of 2 p.m., the state weather bureau said TCWS No. 3 was in effect specifically over the towns of Divilacan, Palanan, Dinapigue, Ilagan City, and San Mariano in the province of Isabela.

Storm-force winds ranging 89 to 117 km/h may prevail over these towns in the next 18 hours. Wind impacts may also result in moderate to significant threat to life and property.

The following areas, meanwhile, are under TCWS No. 2:

• the eastern portion of mainland Cagayan (Peñablanca, Baggao, Gattaran, Lal-Lo, Gonzaga, Santa Teresita, Buguey, Santa Ana, Enrile, Tuguegarao City);
• the northern and central portion of Isabela (Maconacon, Cabagan, Tumauini, San Pablo, Benito Soliven, San Guillermo, Jones, Echague, San Agustin, Angadanan, City of Cauayan, Naguilian, Gamu, Santa Maria, Santo Tomas, Delfin Albano, Quirino, Burgos, Reina Mercedes, Alicia, Luna, Quezon, Mallig, Roxas, San Manuel, Aurora, Cabatuan, San Mateo, San Isidro);
• the extreme northern portion of Aurora (Casiguran, Dinalungan, Dilasag); and
• the eastern portion of Quirino (Maddela).

TCWS No. 1 was raised over these areas:

• Batanes;
• the rest of Cagayan including Babuyan Islands;
• the rest of Aurora;
• the rest of Quirino;
• the rest of Isabela;
• Apayao;
• Nueva Vizcaya;
• Ifugao;
• Mountain Province;
• Kalinga;
• Abra;
• eastern portion of Ilocos Norte (Pagudpud, Adams, Vintar, Carasi, Nueva Era, Banna, Marcos, Dingras, Solsona, Piddig, Dumalneg, Bangui);
• Pollilo Islands;
• eastern portion of Benguet (Bokod, Buguias, Kabayan, Mankayan);
• eastern portion of Nueva Ecija (Carranglan, Pantabangan, Bongabon, Gabaldon, Laur, Rizal); and
• Calaguas Islands.

The center of the eye of Goring was last spotted 90 kilometers east northeast of Casiguran, Aurora.

It has maximum sustained winds of 185 km/h near the center, gustiness of up to 230 km/h, and central pressure of 935 hPa.

It was moving southward slowly, with strong to typhoon-force winds extending outwards up to 260 km from the center.

PAGASA said the Southwest Monsoon (Habagat), enhanced by Goring, will bring occasional or monsoon rains over the western portions of Central Luzon, Southern Luzon, and Visayas over the next three days.

This Southwest Monsoon will continue to bring gusty conditions over the following areas not under any wind signal, especially in coastal and upland or mountainous areas exposed to winds:

• Sunday: Bataan, Metro Manila, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, Bicol Region, Visayas, Dinagat Islands, and Camiguin.
• Monday: Bataan, Metro Manila, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, Bicol Region, Visayas, Dinagat Islands, Camiguin, and most of Zamboanga Peninsula.
• Tuesday: Aurora, Bataan, Bulacan, Metro Manila, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, Bicol Region, Visayas, Dinagat Islands, Camiguin, and most of Zamboanga Peninsula.

PAGASA said the extreme eastern portion of Isabela and the northern portion of Auora could expect over 200 millimeters of rainfall from Sunday to Monday afternoon.

The eastern portions of mainland Cagayan and Isabela may have 100-200 mm of rain; while 50-100 mm may pour over the Ilocos Region, Apayao, Abra, Benguet, the rest of Aurora, the eastern portion of Nueva Vizcaya, and rest of mainland Cagayan and Isabela.

Flooding and rain-induced landslides were also possible.

A Gale Warning was also in effect over Luzon's northern and eastern coastal waters due to Goring.

Track, intensity

PAGASA said Goring would begin its loop over the Philippine Sea east of the Cagayan-Isabela area on Sunday.

The super typhoon would then turn northeastward and northward on Monday before shifting northwestward on Tuesday. It may make landfall over the southern portion of Taiwan on Wednesday evening or early morning Thursday.

Goring would remain a super typhoon until it makes landfall over southern Taiwan. It may emerge over the Taiwan Strait and exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) on Friday as a severe tropical storm or a typhoon in its lowest limit. —KG/DVM, GMA Integrated News