Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2 remains in effect over four provinces in Luzon as Tropical Storm Ada continues to bring gale-force winds and stormy weather over much of the Bicol Region, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said yesterday.
The center of Ada was last estimated over the coastal waters of Pandan, Catanduanes yesterday with maximum sustained winds of 85 kilometers per hour, gusts of up to 105 kph and was moving north-northwestward at 10 kph.
PAGASA said Signal No. 2 has been hoisted over the eastern portion of Camarines Norte, the eastern and central portions of Camarines Sur and the entire provinces of Albay and Catanduanes. Areas under Signal No. 2 may experience winds of 62 to 88 kph, posing a minor to moderate threat to life and property.
Meanwhile, Signal No. 1 remains in effect over the southeastern portion of Isabela, Aurora, the eastern portion of Quezon, the Polillo Islands, Marinduque, the eastern portion of Romblon, Sorsogon, Masbate, Northern Samar and Biliran.
PAGASA warned that further intensification into a severe tropical storm is not ruled out, and the possible raising of Signal No. 3 remains under consideration. The northeast monsoon, interacting with Ada’s circulation, is also expected to bring strong to gale-force gusts over parts of Northern Luzon, Eastern Visayas and nearby provinces in the coming days.
The weather bureau also warned of minimal to moderate risk of storm surge, with peak heights up to 2.0 meters expected over low-lying and exposed coastal communities in Quezon, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Albay, Sorsogon, Masbate, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Samar and Biliran.
Rough to very rough sea conditions persist along the eastern seaboards of Southern Luzon, prompting gale warnings and advisories against sea travel.
Ada is forecast to move generally northwestward before slowly turning northward to northeastward on Sunday and may follow a looping track over the sea east of Luzon. It is the first tropical cyclone to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility this year.