Tropical Storm Ramil (international name: Fengshen) may make landfall in Northern Samar on Saturday around noon or in the afternoon, the weather bureau said.
In its 11 a.m. bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said Ramil is expected to move generally west-northwest or northwest, ‘following a brief west-southwest movement.’
The storm was last spotted over the coastal waters of Palapag, Northern Samar, with maximum sustained winds of 75 kilometers per hour (kph) and gusts up to 90 kph. It was moving west-southwest at 20 kph.
‘The center of Ramil may make landfall or pass close to Northern Samar around noon or early afternoon, then over Catanduanes in the afternoon or evening,’ Pagasa said.
The agency had earlier forecast that Ramil would make landfall or approach Catanduanes on Saturday afternoon or evening.
Pagasa also said the likelihood of Ramil making landfall over Albay or Sorsogon is increasing as it continues moving west-northwest, passing near mainland Bicol Region and the Polillo Islands.
The agency added that the tropical storm may make another landfall over Aurora on Sunday morning or afternoon, although a landfall over Northern Quezon or Southern Isabela instead of Aurora is still possible.
Pagasa also noted that ‘a northward or southward shift of the track could result in a different landfall area.’
Ramil is forecast to maintain its strength or slightly weaken ‘due to frictional effects of the landmass’ as it passes over Northern Luzon