Kiyapo Intensifies Into Tropical Storm; Benguet Under Signal No. 1

Excerpt: Kiyapo intensified into a tropical storm early Friday, July 24, 2026, while moving closer to Extreme Northern Luzon. Benguet and the rest of the Cordillera are now under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1, while Signal No. 2 has been raised over Batanes and parts of Cagayan and Ilocos Norte.

Kiyapo intensified into a tropical storm while moving closer to Extreme Northern Luzon early Friday, July 24, 2026, according to Tropical Cyclone Bulletin No. 8 issued by PAGASA at 5:00 AM.

As of 4:00 AM, the center of Tropical Storm Kiyapo, internationally known as Noul, was estimated at 345 kilometers east of Aparri, Cagayan.

Kiyapo now has maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour near the center, gustiness of up to 80 kilometers per hour, and a central pressure of 998 hectopascals.

The tropical storm was moving west northwestward at 30 kilometers per hour.

Strong to gale-force winds associated with Kiyapo extend as far as 450 kilometers from its center.

Kiyapo at a Glance

What This Means for Baguio City and Benguet

The whole province of Benguet is now under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1.

Signal No. 1 means strong winds ranging from 39 to 61 kilometers per hour may be experienced within approximately 36 hours. PAGASA said these conditions may pose a minimal to minor threat to life and property.

Baguio City was not separately named in the list of areas under wind signals. However, residents should continue taking precautions because the city is surrounded by Benguet and is located in an elevated and mountainous area.

PAGASA warned that winds may become stronger in upland and mountainous locations exposed to the prevailing wind direction.

The Southwest Monsoon and the outer circulation of Kiyapo are also expected to bring strong to gale-force gusts over most of the country on Friday.

Residents should secure roofs, signs, plant pots, outdoor furniture, construction materials, and other objects that may be blown away by sudden strong winds.

Entire Cordillera Under Signal No. 1

All provinces of the Cordillera Administrative Region are now under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1:

• Abra
• Apayao
• Benguet
• Ifugao
• Kalinga
• Mountain Province

This is an expansion from the previous bulletin, when only northern portions of Benguet were under Signal No. 1.

Residents in exposed upland communities should prepare for stronger winds, especially along ridges, mountain roads, open areas, and locations with light or temporary structures.

Signal No. 2 Raised Over Extreme Northern Luzon

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2 is in effect over the following areas:

• Batanes
• Babuyan Islands
• Northern portion of mainland Cagayan
• Pagudpud in northern Ilocos Norte

Signal No. 2 means gale-force winds ranging from 62 to 88 kilometers per hour may be experienced within approximately 24 hours.

PAGASA said these conditions may pose a minor to moderate threat to life and property.

Northern Cagayan Areas Under Signal No. 2

• Santa Ana
• Gonzaga
• Santa Teresita
• Buguey
• Camalaniugan
• Aparri
• Ballesteros
• Abulug
• Pamplona
• Sanchez-Mira
• Claveria
• Santa Praxedes

Other Areas Under Signal No. 1

Signal No. 1 is also in effect over:

• Rest of mainland Cagayan
• Isabela
• Nueva Vizcaya
• Quirino
• Rest of Ilocos Norte
• Ilocos Sur
• La Union
• Northern and central portions of Aurora

In Aurora, the signal covers Dilasag, Casiguran, Dinalungan, and Dipaculao.

Strong Winds May Affect Most of the Country

PAGASA said the Southwest Monsoon and Kiyapo’s outer circulation will bring strong to gale-force gusts over the following areas:

Friday, July 24

• Most of the country

Saturday, July 25

• Most of Luzon
• Most of the Visayas
• Zamboanga del Norte
• Davao Oriental

Sunday, July 26

• Ilocos Region
• Zambales
• Bataan
• Occidental Mindoro
• Kalayaan Islands

The strongest gusts are more likely in exposed coastal and upland areas.

Heavy Rainfall Remains a Concern

Rainfall associated with Kiyapo and the Southwest Monsoon may affect areas even outside the cyclone’s projected track or possible landfall area.

PAGASA referred the public to Weather Advisory No. 12 for the detailed heavy rainfall outlook.

The tropical cyclone bulletin did not provide specific rainfall amounts for Baguio City or Benguet. Residents should therefore continue monitoring rainfall advisories and warnings issued by PAGASA’s regional weather office and local disaster risk reduction authorities.

Prolonged or intense rainfall may increase the risk of flooding and landslides, particularly in low-lying communities, areas near waterways, steep slopes, and locations previously affected by ground movement.

Signal No. 3 Remains Possible

PAGASA said the raising of Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 3 is not ruled out.

Signal No. 3 may be raised if Kiyapo intensifies into a severe tropical storm while crossing or passing near Batanes and the Babuyan Islands.

Residents of Extreme Northern Luzon should monitor succeeding bulletins because wind signals may still be expanded or upgraded.

Forecast Track of Kiyapo

Kiyapo is forecast to continue moving west northwestward toward the Luzon Strait until Saturday, July 25.

Based on PAGASA’s forecast track, the center of the tropical storm may pass close to the northeastern portion of mainland Cagayan between Friday morning and afternoon.

It may then pass very close to or make landfall in the vicinity of the Babuyan Islands between Friday afternoon and evening.

Kiyapo is forecast to leave the Philippine Area of Responsibility by Saturday morning.

PAGASA emphasized that the track may still shift within the forecast confidence cone.

Heavy rainfall and severe winds may also occur in areas outside the possible landfall point and the projected path of the storm.

Kiyapo May Become a Severe Tropical Storm

Kiyapo is expected to continue intensifying while crossing or passing near Extreme Northern Luzon.

It may become a severe tropical storm after passing the Babuyan Islands.

PAGASA said Kiyapo may undergo rapid intensification over the West Philippine Sea and could reach typhoon category before making landfall over southern mainland China.

The system is expected to weaken after moving inland and interacting with mountainous terrain.

Gale Warning in Effect

A Gale Warning is in effect over the northern seaboard of Northern Luzon.

Very rough seas with waves reaching up to 5.5 meters are expected over:

• Batanes
• Babuyan Islands

Waves reaching up to 4.5 meters are expected over:

• Northern seaboard of mainland Cagayan
• Northern seaboard of Ilocos Norte

Sea travel is considered dangerous for vessels of all sizes.

PAGASA advised all mariners to remain in port. Vessels already at sea should seek shelter or proceed to a safe harbor as soon as possible.

Rough Seas Expected in Other Areas

Waves reaching up to three meters are expected over:

• Remaining seaboards of mainland Cagayan
• Remaining seaboards of Ilocos Norte
• Eastern seaboard of Davao Oriental

Small vessels, including motorbancas, should not venture out to sea under these conditions.

Moderate to rough seas with waves of up to two to 2.5 meters are also forecast over several coastal areas in Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao.

Operators of motorbancas and similarly sized vessels should take precautionary measures and avoid sailing whenever possible.

Public Safety Reminders

Residents are advised to:

• Monitor official PAGASA bulletins and local government announcements.
• Secure roofing materials, signs, plant pots, outdoor furniture, and other loose objects.
• Avoid staying or parking near old trees, unstable slopes, retaining walls, billboards, and temporary structures.
• Charge mobile phones and prepare flashlights, medicines, drinking water, food, and emergency supplies.
• Avoid flooded roads, rivers, drainage channels, and waterways.
• Watch for ground cracks, leaning trees, unusual sounds, and other possible signs of landslides.
• Postpone unnecessary travel during periods of heavy rain or strong winds.
• Follow evacuation and safety instructions from local authorities.

People living in areas highly or very highly susceptible to flooding and landslides should be prepared to evacuate when instructed.

The next Tropical Cyclone Bulletin for Kiyapo will be issued by PAGASA at 8:00 AM on Friday, July 24, 2026.

Source: DOST-PAGASA Tropical Cyclone Bulletin No. 8 for Tropical Storm Kiyapo, issued at 5:00 AM on July 24, 2026.