Tropical Depression Kiyapo prompted the Philippine weather bureau to raise Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 over parts of northern Luzon on Thursday morning. The system was located far east of the country and is forecast to approach Cagayan by Friday.
As of 4 a.m. on July 23, Kiyapo was situated 950 kilometers east of Central Luzon, moving west-northwest at 20 kilometers per hour with maximum sustained winds of 45 km/h and gusts up to 55 km/h. PAGASA raised Signal No. 1 at 5 a.m. in Batanes, Cagayan including Babuyan Islands, Isabela, Apayao, Kalinga, parts of Mountain Province and Ifugao, Ilocos Norte, northern Ilocos Sur, and northern Aurora.
Weather specialist Chenel Dominguez said the signal provides 36 hours of lead time before strong winds arrive. She noted Kiyapo could intensify into a tropical storm on Friday, with the highest signal possibly reaching No. 2, and not ruling out No. 3 if it strengthens further while crossing the Batanes-Babuyan area.
The depression is expected to pass near northeastern mainland Cagayan on Friday and approach or make landfall over the Babuyan Islands that afternoon or evening. It may exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Saturday as a severe tropical storm. The southwest monsoon and outer bands of Kiyapo are also bringing gusty conditions and rain to other parts of the country.
