Tropical Storm Paolo (international name: Matmo) intensified over the Philippine Sea, prompting the weather bureau to raise Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 2 over parts of Luzon on Thursday, Oct. 2.
In its 11 a.m. update, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said areas under TCWS are as follows:
TCWS No. 2
The southeastern portion of Isabela (San Mariano, Dinapigue, San Guillermo, Echague, Jones, San Agustin, Benito Soliven, Angadanan, City of Cauayan, Naguilian)
The northern portion of Quirino (Maddela)
The northern portion of Aurora (Dilasag, Casiguran, Dinalungan)
Areas under Signal No. 2 have a 24-hour lead time before experiencing Paolo’s effects. Winds in this category pose a minor to moderate threat to life and property.
TCWS No. 1
Mainland Cagayan
Isabela
Quirino
Nueva Vizcaya
Apayao
Abra
Kalinga
Mountain Province
Ifugao
Benguet
Ilocos Norte
Ilocos Sur
La Union
Pangasinan
The northern portion of Zambales (Palauig, Masinloc, Candelaria, Santa Cruz)
Tarlac
Nueva Ecija
Aurora
The northern portion of Bulacan (Doña Remedios Trinidad, San Miguel, San Ildefonso)
The northern portion of Pampanga (Magalang, Arayat, Candaba, Mabalacat City)
The northern portion of Quezon (General Nakar), including Polillo Islands
The northern portion of Catanduanes (Pandan, Bagamanoc, Panganiban, Viga)
The warning lead time for Signal No. 1 is 36 hours, with winds in this category posing minimal to minor threat to life and property.
Pagasa said Paolo was located 575 kilometers east of Infanta, Quezon.
The storm was packing maximum sustained winds of 75 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center, with gusts of up to 90 kph, and was moving west-northwest at 20 kph.
It is expected to make landfall over Isabela or northern Aurora by Friday morning, Oct. 3, before crossing Northern Luzon and emerging over the West Philippine Sea.
The storm is forecast to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility by Saturday morning, Oct. 4