Signal No. 4 up over Cagayan as ‘Ofel’ nears super typhoon category
Credit to Author: Kristine Daguno-Bersamina| Date: Thu, 14 Nov 2024 06:45:00 +0800
MANILA, Philippines — State weather bureau PAGASA has raised Signal No. 4 over parts of Cagayan as Typhoon Ofel (international name: Usagi) intensifies and nears super typhoon status on early Thursday, November 14.
In its 5 a.m. weather bulletin, Ofel was spotted 215 kilometers east of Echague, Isabela, with peak winds reaching 165 kilometers per hour near its center and gusts of up to 205 kph.
Ofel is moving west-northwestward at 30 kph, carrying strong winds that extend up to 320 kilometers from its center.
The state weather bureau placed the following areas under heightened storm alerts:
Signal No. 4
Residents here may face a significant threat to life and property due to Marce's winds, which range from 118 kph to 184 kph.
Signal No. 3
Storm-force winds, ranging from 89 kph to 117 kph, may result in moderate to significant impacts in the area.
Signal No. 2
Gale-force winds, ranging from 62 kph to 88 kph, could potentially cause minor to moderate impacts in these areas.
Signal No. 1
Areas under Signal No. 1 may experience possible minimal to minor impacts from strong winds, ranging from 39 kph to 61 kph.
Heavy rains, severe winds
PAGASA said heavy rainfall is expected over the following areas from the combined effects of tropical cyclones Ofel and Man-Yi in the coming days:
Thursday, November 14
Friday, November 15
Saturday (November 16)
As Typhoon Ofel intensifies while approaching northern Luzon, the likelihood of issuing the highest tropical cyclone warning, Signal No. 5, remains possible.
The state weather bureau raised a storm surge warning for low-lying coastal areas in northern Luzon due to Ofel.
A moderate to high risk of storm surge with waves reaching 1.0 to 3.0 meters is expected within the next 48 hours over exposed coastlines in Batanes, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Cagayan (including the Babuyan Islands), Isabela and northern Aurora.
A gale warning is also in effect over the northern and eastern seaboards of northern Luzon and the eastern coast of central Luzon.
PAGASA also issued warnings for dangerous sea conditions caused by Typhoon Ofel, affecting the following coastal areas:
PAGASA warned mariners to avoid sea travel, particularly in areas with rough or high seas, and seek shelter until conditions improve.
The state weather bureau said Ofel will continue its northwestward path and may make landfall along the eastern coast of Cagayan or northern Isabela by Thursday afternoon.
It is expected to pass near Babuyan Islands on Thursday night before shifting north-northeastward over waters west of Batanes on Friday.
Over the weekend, the typhoon is expected to veer northeastward toward Taiwan and the Ryukyu Islands.
PAGASA said that Ofel could still intensify further, with a high possibility of reaching super typhoon status due to favorable conditions, before potentially weakening over Taiwan and the Ryukyu Islands by early next week.