PAGASA: Signal No. 1 may be raised in parts of Cagayan

t

Tropical Storm Marce has intensified over the Philippine Sea east of Bicol and may cause Signal No. 1 to be raised over parts of Cagayan on Monday night or Tuesday, the weaher bureau PAGASA has said.

According to its 5 p.m. tropical cyclone bulletin, Marce was spotted at 4 p.m. to be 740 km east of Virac, Catanduanes with maximum sustained winds of 85 kph and gustiness of 105 kpg.

Moving west-northwest in the Philippine Area of Responsibility at 30 kph, Marce may enhance the northeasterly wind flow within the week.

"This, and the trough of the tropical cyclone, will bring rains over Extreme Northern Luzon and the eastern section of Luzon beginning [Monday]  or on Tuesday," PAGASA said.

"Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 may be hoisted over portions of Cagayan tonight or tomorrow morning. The highest Wind Signal which may be hoisted during the occurrence of MARCE is Wind Signal No. 4," it added.

PAGASA said Marce was forecast to move generally west northwestward today until Tuesday before turning westward at a slow pace over the Philippine Sea east of Extreme Northern Luzon.

Marce is also expected to make landfall in the vicinity of Babuyan Islands or mainland northern Cagayan on Thursday evening (7 November) or Friday (8 November) early morning.

“Due to uncertainty in the strength of the high pressure area north of Marce, the forecast track may still change and bring the landfall point to mainland Cagayan-Isabela area,” PAGASA said.

Marce may reach the severe tropical storm category on Monday evening or Tuesday morning.

“It may also reach typhoon category by tomorrow evening or Wednesday early morning. Rapid intensification is likely,” PAGASA said.

Marce trough to affect parts of Luzon

In its 4 p.m. weather forecast, PAGASA said the trough of Marce will bring cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms over mainland Cagayan, Isabela, and Bicol Region.

These moderate to at times heavy rains may trigger flash floods or landslides.

The trough of Marce will also cause partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms over Eastern Visayas, Aurora, Quezon, and the rest of Cagayan Valley.

The public were warned of possible flash floods or landslides during these severe thunderstorms.

Batanes and Babuyan Islands will experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated light rains due to northeasterly winds.

Meanwhile, Metro Manila and the rest of the country may see partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms due to localized thunderstorms.  

These severe thunderstorms may cause flash floods or landslides.

State meteorologists also said Luzon will have moderate to strong wind conditions and moderate to rough coastal water conditions.

Meanwhile, the rest of the country will experience light to moderate wind conditions and slight to moderate coastal water conditions.

Sunrise will be at 5:53 a.m. on Tuesday.  —NB, GMA Integrated News