Tropical storm enters PAR, is named Ofel

The tropical storm east of Eastern Visayas has entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) on Tuesday and will be assigned the domestic name Ofel, according to PAGASA.

At 3 a.m., the center of Tropical Storm Ofel (International name: Usagi) was estimated to be located at 1,125 kilometers east of Eastern Visayas, packing maximum sustained winds of 75 kph and gustiness of up to 90 kph and moving west northwestward at 25 kph.

Also as of 3 a.m., the center of Severe Tropical Storm Nika (International Name: Toraji) was estimated at 150 kilometers west northwest of Laoag City, Ilocos Norte, packing maximum sustained winds of 95 kilometers per hour and gustiness of up to 115 kph and moving west northwestward at the speed of 20 kph.

PAGASA is also monitoring a tropical cyclone outside PAR, Tropical Storm Man-Yi, which was located at 3 a.m. at 2,870 kilometers east of Southeastern Luzon, packing maximum sustained winds of 85 kph near the center, gustiness of up to 105 kph, and moving westward at the speed of 10 kph.

Rains

Tropical Storm Ofel is not directly affecting any part of the country on Tuesday.

However, there will be moderate to heavy rainfall due to Tropical Cyclone Nika and Ofel over Ilocos Norte, Cagayan, and Batanes.

According to the 5 a.m. Tropical Cyclone Bulletin posted by PAGASA, Nika further weakens as it moves northwestward over the West Philippine Sea.

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1 was raised over the following areas on Tuesday due to Nika:

• Ilocos Norte;
• the northern portion of Ilocos Sur (Lidlidda, City of Candon, Galimuyod, Banayoyo, Burgos, Santiago, Santa Maria, San Esteban, Nagbukel, Narvacan, Caoayan, Santa, Bantay, City of Vigan, Santa Catalina, San Vicente, San Ildefonso, Santo Domingo, Magsingal, Cabugao, San Juan, Sinait);
• the northern portion of Apayao (Kabugao, Pudtol, Luna, Santa Marcela, Calanasan, Flora);
• the northern and western portions of Abra (Tineg, Lagangilang, Bucay, Villaviciosa, Lagayan, San Juan, La Paz, Danglas, Pilar, San Isidro, Peñarrubia, Tayum, Dolores, Bangued, Pidigan, Langiden, San Quintin);
• the western portion of Babuyan Islands (Calayan Is., Dalupiri Is., Fuga Is.); and
• the northwestern portion of mainland Cagayan (Abulug, Pamplona, Sanchez-Mira, Santa Praxedes, Claveria)

Severe winds

There will be minimal to minor impacts from strong winds possible within any of the areas under TCWS No. 1 as the northeasterly wind flow will also bring strong to gale-force gusts over the following areas (especially in coastal and upland areas exposed to winds): Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Batanes, Cagayan including Babuyan Islands, and Isabela.

Coastal inundation

There is a minimal to moderate risk of storm surge that may occur in the next 48 hours in the low-lying or exposed coastal localities of Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur.

Hazards affecting coastal waters

A Gale Warning was hoisted over the northern and western seaboards of Northern Luzon.

Mariners were advised to take precautionary measures while venturing out to sea and, if possible, avoid navigation under these conditions.

Track and intensity outlook

PAGASA said Ofel is forecast to move west northwestward until Thursday evening before turning northwestward to northward for the rest of the forecast period and may make landfall over Northern or Central Luzon on Thursday afternoon or evening.

Meanwhile, Nika will continue moving generally northwestward to westward over West Philippine Sea and exit PAR within the next 12 hours. It may continue to weaken for the next few days and become a remnant low over the sea near southern China.

Nika will remain as a severe tropical storm throughout its passage within PAR. — BAP/KG, GMA Integrate News