Typhoon Marce closes in, Signal 4 issued in various areas

THE country is affected by another major typhoon as Marce PH intensifies as it approaches Northern Luzon, prompting PAGASA to raise the Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 4 in several provinces. 

Based on the most recent Tropical Cyclone Bulletin from the state weather bureau, the typhoon was located 200 kilometers east of Aparri, Cagayan, with sustained winds of 155 to 190 kilometers per hour gusts. 

Photo Courtesy: PAGASA

According to PAGASA’s website, local winds may be significantly stronger/enhanced in wind-prone coastal and upland/mountainous regions. Winds are less forceful in regions protected from the prevailing wind direction.

However, the northeasterly wind flow and Typhoon Marce’s periphery may produce severe to gale-force gusts over various places, most notably coastal and upland areas vulnerable to winds.

• Today (7 November): Zambales, Bataan, and Polillo Islands

• Tomorrow (8 November): Batanes, Cagayan including Babuyan Islands, Isabela, and Ilocos Region.

• Saturday (9 November): Batanes and Babuyan Islands

Furthermore, there is a significant chance of life-threatening storm surge in the next 48 hours, with peak surge heights surpassing 3.0 m above normal tide levels in low-lying or exposed coastal areas. ( gaano kataas ito? ⅔ floors ng building? O lagpas tao)

Low-lying or coastal areas that may be affected by the storm surge. Aming them  include Batanes, Cagayan, including the Babuyan Islands, Isabela, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, and La Union. 

Signal Numbers

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 4 covers the northern portions of mainland Cagayan, including the Babuyan Islands, the northeastern portion of Apayao, and the northern portion of Ilocos Norte.

Photo Courtesy: PAGASA

Meanwhile, Signal No. 3 provinces include Batanes, the rest of Cagayan, the rest of Apayao, the rest of Ilocos Norte, the northern portion of Abra, and the northern half of Ilocos Sur. 

Signal No. 2 covers the northern and central parts of Isabela, the rest of Abra, Kalinga, Mountain Province, northern Ifugao, northern Benguet, the rest of Ilocos Sur, and the northern part of La Union. 

Signal No. 1 covers the rest of La Union, Pangasinan, Ifugao, Benguet, Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, northern and central Aurora, northern Nueva Ecija, and northern Zambales.

Latest forecast

Typhoon Marce is projected to continue west northwestward over the next 12 hours over the waters east of Cagayan before turning primarily to the west this afternoon and Saturday, November 9. 

According to the forecast, the typhoon will make landfall and pass across the Babuyan Islands and/or northern areas of mainland Cagayan, Ilocos Norte, and Apayao between this afternoon and tomorrow early morning. 

Marce may leave the Philippine Area of Responsibility tomorrow afternoon or evening, although the typhoon is predicted to weaken beginning today afternoon due to the terrain of mainlan Luzon.