Tropical Storm Paolo Slightly Intensifies, Signal No. 2 Raised in Parts of Luzon

Tropical StormPaolo has slightly intensified while moving west northwestward over the Philippine Sea. Several provinces in Luzon are now under Signal Nos. 1 and 2.

Track and Intensity Outlook

• Location of Center (4:00 PM): 480 km East of Infanta, Quezon or 480 km East of Baler, Aurora (15.3°N, 126.1°E)
• Intensity: Maximum sustained winds of 85 km/h near the center, gustiness of up to 105 km/h, and central pressure of 996 hPa
• Present Movement: West northwestward at 15 km/h
• Extent of Winds: Strong to gale-force winds extend outwards up to 350 km from the center
• Paolo may make landfall over southern Isabela or northern Aurora by tomorrow morning, 03 October. It may reach Severe Tropical Storm category and possibly Typhoon strength before or after landfall, with further intensification over the West Philippine Sea likely.

Areas Under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signals

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

• Isabela
• Northern portion of Quirino (Maddela, Aglipay, Cabarroguis, Saguday, Diffun)
• Northern portion of Nueva Vizcaya (Diadi, Bagabag, Quezon, Solano, Villaverde, Ambaguio, Bayombong, Kasibu)
• Kalinga
• Mountain Province
• Ifugao
• Northern portion of Aurora (Dilasag, Casiguran, Dinalungan)

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

• Cagayan
• Rest of Quirino
• Rest of Nueva Vizcaya
• Apayao
• Abra
• Benguet
• Ilocos Norte
• Ilocos Sur
• La Union
• Pangasinan
• Northern portion of Zambales (Palauig, Masinloc, Candelaria, Santa Cruz)
• Tarlac
• Nueva Ecija
• Rest of Aurora
• Northern portion of Bulacan (Doña Remedios Trinidad, San Miguel, San Ildefonso, Norzagaray, San Rafael)
• Northern portion of Pampanga (Magalang, Arayat, Candaba, Mabalacat City)
• 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

The highest Wind Signal that may be hoisted throughout its passage is Signal No. 3, though Signal No. 4 cannot be ruled out if Paolo reaches Typhoon strength.

Hazards Affecting Land Areas

• Heavy Rainfall Outlook: Widespread rains may affect Northern and Central Luzon, especially over Isabela, Cagayan, Aurora, and nearby provinces, which may cause flooding and landslides in low-lying and mountainous areas.
• Coastal Inundation: Moderate to high risk of storm surge with peak heights reaching 1.0 to 3.0 m within 36 hours over Ilocos Norte, Cagayan, Isabela, Aurora, Quezon, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, and Catanduanes.

Hazards Affecting Coastal Waters

• 24-Hour Sea Condition Outlook:
  • Up to 6.0 m: The seaboard of Isabela
  • Up to 5.0 m: The seaboard of northern Aurora; eastern seaboard of mainland Cagayan
  • Up to 4.0 m: The seaboards of Ilocos Norte and Babuyan Islands; remaining seaboard of mainland Cagayan
  • Up to 3.5 m: The seaboards of Ilocos Sur, northern Quezon, and Camarines Norte; northern and eastern seaboards of Polillo Islands; remaining seaboard of Aurora
  • Up to 3.0 m: The seaboard of Batanes; northern seaboards of Catanduanes and Camarines Sur
  • Up to 2.5 m: The seaboard of La Union; western seaboard of Pangasinan
  • Up to 2.0 m: The eastern seaboards of mainland Quezon, Catanduanes, Rapu-Rapu Islands, and Sorsogon; northern and eastern seaboard of Northern Samar; western seaboard of Zambales; remaining seaboards of Polillo Islands and Pangasinan
  • Mariners of small seacrafts, including motorbancas, are advised not to venture out to sea.

Advisory

Residents in areas under Signals No. 1 and 2, including Benguet, are advised to prepare for rains, winds, and storm surge, and to follow evacuation and safety instructions from local authorities.