'Goring' now a typhoon; Signal No. 2 raised in Cagayan, Isabela areas

MANILA, Philippines — Tropical cyclone Goring further intensified into a typhoon, prompting Signal No. 2 in parts of mainland Cagayan and Isabela for the risk of strong gale winds.

PAGASA said on Saturday that the center of the eye of Goring was last estimated at 185 kilometers east northeast of Aparri, Cagayan at around 4 a.m.

• Maximum sustained winds: 140 kilometers per hour near the center
• Gustiness: up to 170 kilometers per hour
• Direction: southwestward
• Movement: 10 kilometers per hour

"Due to highly favorable environment, Goring is forecast continue intensifying throughout most of the forecast period and may reach super typhoon category on Monday," according to the state weather bureau on Saturday.
 
"Upwelling of cooler waters due to its slow movement will limit further intensification by late Monday or early Tuesday."

PAGASA predicted approximately 100-200 mm of rainfall for the eastern part of mainland Cagayan on Saturday. Meanwhile, an estimated 50-100 mm of rainfall is expected across Babuyan Islands, the rest of mainland Cagayan, the northeastern part of Isabela, Abra, the northern area of Apayao, as well as Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur.

Forecast rainfall will generally be higher in elevated or mountainous areas. Due to this, flooding and rain-induced landslide are possible in areas that are susceptible to these hazards.

Storm signal warnings

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signals are in effect in various parts of Luzon on Saturday.

Signal No. 2

• The extreme northeastern portion of mainland Cagayan (Santa Ana, Gonzaga)
• extreme northeastern portion of Isabela (Divilacan, Palanan, Maconacon)

Within the next 24 hours, these areas could experience gale-force winds, posing a slight to moderate risk to both life and property.

Signal No. 1

• Batanes
• Babuyan Islands
• the eastern portion of mainland Cagayan (Lal-Lo, Gattaran, Baggao, Peñablanca, Santa Teresita, Buguey, Camalaniugan, Aparri, Ballesteros, Allacapan)
• eastern portion of Isabela (Dinapigue, San Mariano, San Pablo, Cabagan, Tumauini, Ilagan City)
• northern portion of Aurora (Dilasag, Casiguran)

Strong winds are anticipated in these areas over the next 36 hours, potentially posing a minor to moderate risk to both life and property.

"Goring is forecast to move generally southward to southeastward today and tomorrow, then turn eastward to northeastward on Sunday," PAGASA added.

"Afterwards, the typhoon will exit its looping path and move northwestward towards the sea east of Taiwan."

Monsoon rains

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.

The habagat will continue to bring gusty conditions over the following areas not under any wind signal, especially those in coastal, upland and mountainous areas exposed to winds: Aurora, Bataan, Metro Manila, CALABARZON, Bicol Region and most of MIMAROPA.