No more areas under Signal No. 4 as ‘Ompong’ continues to weaken

MANILA, Philippines — Hours after it slammed the Philippine landmass with ferocious winds and heavy rains, Typhoon Ompong (international name: Mangkhut) has weakened further.

In its 11 a.m. bulletin, state weather bureau PAGASA said that “Ompong” now carries maximum sustained winds of 170 kilometers per hour near the center from the previous 185 kph and gustiness of up to 260 kph from the previous 305 kph.

“Ompong” is likely to leave the Philippine area of responsibility by Saturday evening, weather officials said. 

The typhoon was last located 30 kilometers off the coast of Laoag City, Ilocos Norte.

It is now moving west at 25 kilometers per hour.

No area has been placed under Signal No. 4.

Here are the areas placed under tropical cyclone warning Signal Nos. 1, 2 and 3:

Signal No. 3 (Winds of 121 to 170 kilometers per hour is expected in at least 18 hours)

• Cagayan, including Babuyan Group of Islands
• Batanes
• Ilocos Sur
• Ilocos Norte
• La Union
• Mountain Province
• Bengue
• Ifugao
• Kalinga
• Apayao
• Abra

Signal No. 2 (61 to 120 kilometers per hour expected in 24 hours)

• Isabela
• Nueva Vizcaya
• Pangasinan
• Tarlac
• Nueva Ecija
• Aurora
• Zambales
• Quirino
• Pampanga
• Bulacan

Signal No. 1 (30 to 60 kilometers per hour)

• Bataan
• Rizal
• Metro Manila
• Cavite
• Batangas
• Laguna
• Lubang Island
• northern Quezon, including Polillo Island

Stormy weather is expected over the areas under Signal Nos. 2 and 3. 

Despite the further weakening of “Ompong,” there may still be possible storm surge with height of up to six meters in Ilocos Norte, and up to two meters in Ilocos Sur, La Union and Pangasinan. 

The southwest monsoon enhanced by the typhoon will bring gusty winds with occasional moderate to heavy rains over Western Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, ARMM, MIMAROPA and Bicol Region.

Meanwhile, residents of Eastern and Central Visayas will experience scattered to moderate to at times heavy rains. 

Forecast positions

• Sunday morning: 630 kilometers west northwest of Laoag City, Ilocos Norte (outside PAR)
• Monday morning: 1,345 kilometers west northwest of Laoag City, Ilocos Norte (outside PAR)