7 areas under Signal No. 2 as Tropical Storm Ada intensifies

MANILA, Philippines — Several areas were placed under Signal No. 2 as Tropical Storm Ada (international name: Nokaen) further intensified while moving over the waters east of Bicol Region, the state weather bureau PAGASA said. 

In its 5 a.m. weather bulletin on Saturday, January 17, the center of Ada was estimated at 120 kilometers east-northeast of Catarman, Northern Samar, or 175 kilometers east of Juban, Sorsogon.

It was packing maximum sustained winds of 85 kilometers per hour near the center and gusts of up to 105 kilometers per hour.

Ada is moving west-northwestward at 20 kilometers per hour and is expected to pass near Catanduanes between Saturday afternoon and early Sunday morning.

Warning signal

The state weather bureau hoisted the following tropical cyclone wind signals in several areas:

Signal No. 2

Luzon

• eastern portion of Camarines Sur (Siruma, Tinambac, Ocampo, Baao, Nabua, Bato, Iriga City, Buhi, Sagñay, Tigaon, Goa, Lagonoy, San Jose, Garchitorena, Presentacion, Caramoan, Milaor, Camaligan, Pili, Magarao, Minalabac, Balatan, Naga City, Calabanga, Bombon, Bula, Canaman, Gainza)
• Catanduanes
• Albay
• Sorsogon

Visayas

• Northern Samar
• northern portion of Eastern Samar (Jipapad, Maslog, Dolores, Oras, San Policarpo, Arteche)
• northeastern portion of Samar (Matuguinao, San Jose de Buan)

Residents in these areas should prepare for minor to moderate threat to life and property due to winds ranging from 62 to 88 kph.

Signal No. 1

Luzon

• eastern portion of Quezon (Tagkawayan, Guinayangan, Lopez, Calauag, Buenavista, San Narciso, San Andres, San Francisco, Mulanay, Catanauan, General Luna, Macalelon, Gumaca, Pitogo, Unisan, Atimonan, Plaridel, Agdangan, Padre Burgos, Quezon, Alabat, Perez) including Polillo Islands
• Marinduque
• Camarines Norte
• rest of Camarines Sur
• Masbate including Ticao and Burias Islands

Visayas

• rest of Eastern Samar
• rest of Samar
• Biliran
• Leyte
• Southern Leyte
• northern portion of Cebu (Medellin, Daanbantayan, San Remigio, City of Bogo, Tabogon) including Camotes and Bantayan Islands

Mindanao

• Dinagat Islands

Areas under Signal No. 1 may experience strong winds ranging from 39 to 61 kph, which could cause minimal to minor damage.

PAGASA said Wind Signal No. 3 may be raised as the storm could still intensify into a severe tropical storm.

The northeast monsoon, enhanced by Ada, will also bring strong to gale-force gusts over the following areas:

• Saturday, January 17: Batanes, Babuyan Islands, northern and eastern mainland Cagayan, eastern Isabela, Ilocos Norte, Abra, Aurora, Quezon, Oriental Mindoro, Romblon, Marinduque, Cuyo Islands, Bicol Region, Visayas, Dinagat Islands, Camiguin and Surigao del Norte.
• Sunday, January 18: Batanes, Cagayan, Isabela, Quirino, Ilocos Norte, Abra, Ilocos Sur, Quezon, Marinduque, Romblon, Bicol Region, Leyte and Eastern Visayas.
• Monday, January 19: Batanes, Cagayan, Isabela, Polillo Islands, Ilocos Norte, Abra, Bicol Region and Eastern Visayas

Track, intensity

Tropical Storm Ada may still bring heavy rain and strong winds to areas outside its possible landfall area as it continues to move over the Philippine Sea.

PAGASA said Ada is expected to move west-northwestward to northwestward on Saturday before slowly turning northward on Sunday, January 18.

From Sunday onward, the storm is forecast to move slowly over the waters east of Southern Luzon.

The center of Ada may pass near Catanduanes from Saturday afternoon until early Sunday morning, PAGASA said, adding that a further westward shift in its track could lead to a possible landfall over Bicol Region.

The weather bureau said the storm’s track may still change in the next bulletins.

Ada is forecast to remain a tropical storm over the waters east of the Visayas and Southern Luzon, although further intensification into a severe tropical storm remains possible.

PAGASA said Ada may weaken into a tropical depression by Tuesday, January 20, due to the northeast monsoon.