Severe Tropical Storm Paolo Intensifies, Parts of Benguet Now Under Signal No. 3

Severe Tropical StormPaolo has intensified further while moving westward over the Philippine Sea. Parts of Benguet are now under Signal No. 3, with more areas in Luzon placed under Signals 1 and 2.

Track and Intensity Outlook

• Location of Center (10:00 PM): 320 km East of Baler, Aurora (15.6°N, 124.6°E)
• Intensity: Maximum sustained winds of 95 km/h near the center, gustiness of up to 115 km/h, and central pressure of 994 hPa
• Present Movement: Westward at 30 km/h
• Extent of Winds: Strong to storm-force winds extend outwards up to 350 km from the center
• Paolo may reach Typhoon category before or after landfall over Isabela or northern Aurora on 03 October. Further intensification over the West Philippine Sea is likely.

Areas Under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signals

Signal No. 3 (Storm-force winds, moderate to significant impacts):
Luzon:

• Extreme northern portion of Aurora (Dilasag, Casiguran)
• Central and southern portions of Isabela (Dinapigue, San Mariano, San Guillermo, Echague, Jones, San Agustin, Cordon, City of Santiago, Ramon, San Isidro, Alicia, Angadanan, City of Cauayan, Benito Soliven, Naguilian, Luna, Reina Mercedes, Cabatuan, San Mateo, Aurora, San Manuel, Burgos, Gamu, Roxas, Palanan)
• Northern portion of Quirino (Maddela, Cabarroguis, Aglipay, Saguday, Diffun)
• Northern portion of Nueva Vizcaya (Diadi, Bagabag, Villaverde, Ambaguio, Quezon, Solano, Bayombong)
• Mountain Province
• Ifugao
• Northern portion of Benguet (Mankayan, Buguias, Kabayan, Bakun)

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

• Southern portion of mainland Cagayan (Peñablanca, Tuguegarao City, Enrile, Solana, Iguig, Tuao, Piat, Rizal)
• Rest of Isabela
• Rest of Quirino
• Rest of Nueva Vizcaya
• Northern and central portions of Aurora (Dinalungan, Dipaculao, Baler, Maria Aurora)
• Northeastern portion of Nueva Ecija (Carranglan, Pantabangan)
• Southern portion of Apayao (Conner)
• Kalinga
• Abra
• Rest of Benguet
• Southern portion of Ilocos Norte (Nueva Era, Badoc, Pinili, City of Batac, Paoay, Currimao, Banna)
• Ilocos Sur
• La Union

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

• Rest of mainland Cagayan including Babuyan Islands
• Rest of Aurora
• Northern portion of Quezon (General Nakar, Infanta) including Polillo Islands
• Camarines Norte
• Northern portion of Camarines Sur (Siruma, Tinambac, Lagonoy, Garchitorena, Caramoan, Goa, San Jose, Presentacion)
• Catanduanes
• Rest of Apayao
• Rest of Ilocos Norte
• Pangasinan
• Rest of Nueva Ecija
• Northern portion of Bulacan (Doña Remedios Trinidad, San Miguel, San Ildefonso, Norzagaray, San Rafael)
• Tarlac
• Northeastern portion of Pampanga (Magalang, Arayat, Candaba, Mabalacat City)
• Northern portion of Zambales (Palauig, Masinloc, Candelaria, Santa Cruz)

The highest Wind Signal that may be hoisted throughout its passage is Signal No. 4 if Paolo reaches Typhoon category.

Hazards Affecting Land Areas

• Heavy Rainfall Outlook: Widespread rains may affect Northern and Central Luzon, particularly Isabela, Cagayan, Aurora, and nearby provinces, which may cause flooding and landslides in low-lying and mountainous areas.
• Coastal Inundation: Storm surge with peak heights reaching 1.0 to 3.0 m is possible within 36 hours in coastal areas of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Cagayan, Isabela, Aurora, and Quezon.

Hazards Affecting Coastal Waters

• 24-Hour Sea Condition Outlook:
  • Up to 6.0 m: Seaboards of Isabela and northern Aurora
  • Up to 5.0 m: Eastern seaboard of mainland Cagayan; seaboards of Ilocos Norte
  • Up to 4.5 m: Seaboards of Ilocos Sur and Babuyan Islands; remaining seaboards of mainland Cagayan
  • Up to 4.0 m: Seaboards of Batanes; remaining seaboards of Aurora
  • Up to 3.5 m: Seaboards of northern Quezon and Camarines Norte; northern and eastern seaboards of Polillo Islands
  • Up to 3.0 m: Seaboards of Catanduanes, Camarines Sur, La Union, and western seaboard of Pangasinan
  • Mariners of small seacrafts are advised not to venture out to sea.

Advisory

Residents in areas under Signals No. 1 to 3, including Benguet, are advised to prepare for heavy rains, strong winds, and storm surge. Follow evacuation and safety instructions from local authorities.