Tropical Cyclone Paolo has strengthened into a tropical storm, triggering the hoisting of Wind Signal No. 1 over more areas in Luzon on Thursday morning, October 2.
In its 5 a.m. bulletin, PAGASA reported Paolo 705 kilometers east of Infanta, Quezon, with maximum sustained winds of 65 kph near the center and gusts up to 80 kph.
The storm is moving west-northwest at 20 kph.
Wind Signals
With Paolo gaining strength, PAGASA has raised Wind Signal No. 1 over 21 more provinces, along with Catanduanes.
Signal No. 1 (strong winds in 36 hours)
Luzon
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
and the northern portion of Catanduanes (Pandan, Bagamanoc, Panganiban, Viga)
Under Wind Signal No. 1, only light damage to infrastructure is anticipated, unless structures are poorly built or made of light or makeshift materials.
Intermittent rains are expected to soak these provinces by Friday, October 3, as Paolo approaches landfall.
According to the heavy rainfall outlook, Cagayan and Isabela could receive over 200 millimeters of rain tomorrow.
Meanwhile, the following provinces are forecast to get 100 to 200 millimeters:
Quirino
Aurora
Apayao
Abra
Benguet
Kalinga
Mountain Province
Ifugao
Nueva Vizcaya
Ilocos Norte
Ilocos Sur
La Union
Pangasinan
Heavy rain of 50 to 100 millimeters is also forecast in Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Zambales and Bataan.
PAGASA warned it may raise a gale warning over the coastal waters of Northern and Central Luzon by Thursday afternoon due to expected rough to very rough seas.
Forecast track
As it moves west-northwest, Paolo is expected to hit Isabela or northern Aurora by Friday morning, but its track could veer south if the high-pressure system north of the storm strengthens.
After moving across land, Paolo is expected to emerge over the West Philippine Sea by Friday afternoon and leave the Philippine area of responsibility by Saturday morning, October 4.
The storm is projected to reach severe tropical storm strength by Friday morning and may briefly intensify into a typhoon before landfall. The highest Wind Signal likely to be raised is No. 3, though Signal No. 4 remains possible.