Benguet and Parts of Luzon Under TCWS No. 1 as Tropical Storm Ramil Slows East of Sorsogon

Tropical StormRamil (international name Fengshen) has slightly intensified and slowed down while moving west northwestward over the sea east of Sorsogon. The storm continues to bring rains and winds across Bicol and parts of Eastern Visayas as Tropical Cyclone Wind Signals remain in effect.

Track and Intensity Outlook

• Location of Center (7:00 AM): 260 km East of Juban, Sorsogon (13.1°N, 126.4°E)
• Intensity: Maximum sustained winds of 65 km/h near the center, gustiness of up to 80 km/h, and central pressure of 1000 hPa
• Present Movement: West northwestward at 15 km/h
• Extent of Winds: Strong to gale-force winds extend outwards up to 400 km from the center

Areas Under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signals

Signal No. 2 (Gale-force winds, minor to moderate impacts):
Luzon:

• Camarines Norte
• Catanduanes
• Northern portion of Camarines Sur (Tinambac, Siruma, Goa, San Jose, Lagonoy, Garchitorena, Caramoan, Presentacion)
• Polillo Islands

Signal No. 1 (Strong winds, minimal to minor impacts):
Luzon:

• Cagayan including Babuyan Islands
• Isabela
• Quirino
• Nueva Vizcaya
• Apayao
• Abra
• Kalinga
• Mountain Province
• Ifugao
• Benguet
• Ilocos Norte
• Ilocos Sur
• La Union
• Pangasinan
• Aurora
• Nueva Ecija
• Eastern portion of Bulacan (Doña Remedios Trinidad, Norzagaray, San Miguel, San Ildefonso, San Rafael, Angat)
• Eastern portion of Tarlac (Camiling, San Clemente, Santa Ignacia, Paniqui, Moncada, San Manuel, Anao, Ramos, Pura, Victoria, City of Tarlac, La Paz, Concepcion, Gerona)
• Eastern portion of Pampanga (Magalang, Arayat, Candaba)
• Northern and eastern portions of Quezon (Tagkawayan, Perez, Alabat, Quezon, Atimonan, Padre Burgos, Unisan, Gumaca, Plaridel, Agdangan, Pagbilao, Mauban, Calauag, Guinayangan, Lopez, Pitogo, Macalelon, General Luna, Catanauan, San Narciso, Buenavista, San Francisco, San Andres, Mulanay, General Nakar, Infanta, Real, Sampaloc) including Polillo Islands
• Rest of Camarines Sur
• Albay
• Sorsogon
• Burias Island
• Ticao Island
  Visayas:
• Northern Samar
• Northern portion of Eastern Samar (San Policarpo, Arteche, Oras, Dolores, Maslog, Jipapad, Taft, Can-Avid)
• Northern portion of Samar (Matuguinao, San Jose de Buan, Calbayog City, Gandara, Santa Margarita, Pagsanghan, San Jorge)

Hazards Affecting Land Areas

• Heavy Rainfall Outlook: Torrential rains expected over Bicol Region and Eastern Visayas, which may result in flash floods and landslides, especially in low-lying and mountainous areas.
• Severe Winds: Minor to moderate impacts from gale-force winds possible within Signal No. 2 areas; minimal to minor impacts within Signal No. 1 areas. The possibility of intensifying into a severe tropical storm before landfall is not ruled out.
• Coastal Inundation: Storm surge with peak heights of 1.0 to 2.0 meters possible within 48 hours in low-lying or exposed coastal areas of Isabela, Aurora, Quezon, Marinduque, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Albay, Sorsogon, Masbate, Romblon, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Samar, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, and Zambales.

Hazards Affecting Coastal Waters

• 24-Hour Sea Condition Outlook:
  • Up to 4.5 m: Northern and eastern seaboards of Catanduanes; northern seaboards of Camarines Sur and Camarines Norte; eastern seaboards of mainland Cagayan and Isabela; eastern seaboards of Polillo Islands
  • Up to 4.0 m: Northeastern seaboard of Aurora; eastern seaboard of Babuyan Islands
  • Up to 3.0 m: Seaboards of Batanes; rest of Aurora; remaining seaboards of Cagayan including Babuyan Islands and Polillo Islands; northern seaboard of Northern Samar
  • Up to 2.5 m: Seaboards of Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur; eastern seaboards of Albay, Sorsogon, and Eastern Samar; remaining seaboards of Northern Samar
  • Up to 2.0 m: Seaboard of La Union; western seaboards of Pangasinan and Northern Samar; eastern seaboards of Dinagat Islands, Siargao and Bucas Grande Islands, Surigao del Sur, and the rest of mainland Quezon
  • Mariners are advised to remain in port or seek shelter until conditions improve.

Track and Intensity Outlook

Tropical Storm Ramil is forecast to move west northwestward toward Central-Southern Luzon. The center may make landfall or pass close to Catanduanes this afternoon or evening, then pass near Vinzons, Camarines Norte, and Polillo Islands tomorrow morning (19 October). Another landfall over Aurora or Isabela is possible by tomorrow morning or afternoon before traversing Northern and Central Luzon. Ramil may emerge over the West Philippine Sea by Sunday evening and exit PAR by Monday morning (20 October).
A northward or southward shift in track remains possible.

Advisory

Residents in areas under Signal Nos. 1 and 2, especially in Bicol, Quezon, and Eastern Visayas, are advised to prepare for heavy rainfall, gusty winds, flooding, and coastal hazards. Follow the instructions from local authorities and stay updated on official weather bulletins.