MANILA, Philippines — Severe Tropical Storm Marce (international name: Yinxing) slightly intensified on Tuesday morning, bringing it closer to typhoon status, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).
“Marce may further strengthen today and reach the typhoon category until it exits our Philippine area of responsibility (PAR),” Pagasa weather specialist Rhea Torres said in mixed Filipino and English during a press briefing.
Article continues after this advertisement
In a 5 a.m. bulletin, the state weather agency said Marce was last spotted 735 kilometers (km) east of Baler, Aurora. It was packing maximum sustained winds of 110 kilometers per hour (kph) near its center and gustiness of up to 135 kph.
Marce was moving northwestward at 25 kph, it added.
Article continues after this advertisementREAD: Marce may become typhoon before Northern Luzon landfall
Article continues after this advertisementBased on the state weather bureau’s track forecast, Marce will move generally northwestward until Wednesday morning (November 6) before decelerating and turning westward over the Philippine Sea, east of extreme northern Luzon.
Article continues after this advertisement“Marce may make landfall in the vicinity of Babuyan Islands or over the northern portion of mainland Cagayan on Thursday evening or Friday early morning,” Pagasa said.
According to Torres, the radius of Marce is wide and will cover some portions of Northern Luzon. She also said that the storm will gradually approach the Philippine landmass.
Article continues after this advertisementDue to these weather developments, Pagasa raised Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 in the following areas:
Batanes Cagayan including Babuyan Islands Northern and eastern portions of Isabela (Maconacon, San Pablo, Palanan, Dinapigue, Santa Maria, Cabagan, Tumauini, Santo Tomas, Ilagan City, Divilacan, San Mariano) Northern portion of Apayao (Santa Marcela, Luna, Calanasan, Flora, Pudtol) Northern portion of Ilocos Norte (Pagudpud, Dumalneg, Adams, Bangui, Burgos, Pasuquin, Vintar)READ: Marce further intensifies; Signal No. 4 seen as highest wind signal
Subscribe to our daily newsletter
Pagasa said areas under TCWS No. 1 may anticipate winds of 39 kph to 61 kph within at least 36 hours.
Pagasa likewise hoisted a gale warning over the northern and eastern seaboards of Northern Luzon, particularly for the coasts of Batanes, Cagayan including Babuyan Islands, and Isabela.
Marce is expected to leave the PAR either Friday evening or Saturday morningqueen9play, according to the state weather agency.
READ NEXT Commonwealth Market in QC damaged by fire ‘Kian bill’ seen to protect rights of drug suspects EDITORS' PICK AFP branch services lead drills facing West PH Sea, Taiwan EDITORIAL: Where foreigners must not tread Marcos ditches talk on Duterte, focuses on storm victims Countdown to Christmas: The best Advent calendars to spark your holiday spirit Fil-ams target of information manipulation in us polls Romualdez on quad comm drug war probe: House won’t yield to pressure MOST READ Navy sailor who lost thumb in WPS attack gets it back Maiqui Pineda belies claims she only has months to live Marce seen to reach typhoon category Nov 5, says Pagasa Escudero to LTO: Name SUV owner with ‘7’ plate Follow @FMangosingINQ on Twitter --> View comments