Typhoon Nona PAGASA Latest Weather Update December 13-14, 2015

MANILA, Philippines - State weather bureau PAGASA announced that Typhoon Nona (international name: Melor) has intensified further as it continues to threaten Samar-Sorsogon area Sunday night, December 13, 2015.

PAGASA raised Storm Warning Signal No. 3 (121-170 kph) in six areas of Luzon and Visayas.

At 10:00 PM today, the eye of Typhoon Nona was located based on all available data including Guiuan Radar at 325 km East of Catarman, Northern Samar (12.3°N, 127.6°E).

'Bagyong Nona' has maximum sustained winds of 150 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 185 kph. It is orecast to move West at 19 kph.

Forecast Positions:

• 24 hour (Tomorrow evening): In the vicinity of Donsol, Sorsogon
• 48 hour (Tuesday evening): In the vicinity of Nothern Mindoro
• 72 hour (Wednesday evening): 290 km West Northwest of San Jose, Occidental Mindoro
• 96 hour (Thursday evening): 310 km Northwest of Puerto Princesa City, Palawan
• 120 hour (Friday evening): 575 km West of Puerto Princesa City, Palawan (Outside PAR)

Public Storm Warning Signal No. 03 (121-170 kph Expected in 18hrs.)

LUZON: Catanduanes, Sorsogon, Albay including Ticao Island

VISAYAS: Northern Samar, Eastern Samar and Samar

Impacts of the wind:

• Heavy damage to high–risk structures;
• Moderate damage to medium- risk structures;
• Light damage to low-risk structures
• Increasing damage (up to more than 50%) to old, dilapidated residential structures and houses of light materials. Majority of all nipa and cogon houses may be unroofed or destroyed
• Houses of medium strength materials (old, timber or mixed timber-CHB structures, usually with G.I. roofing’s); some warehouses or bodega-type structures are unroofed.
• There may be widespread disruption of electrical power and communication services.
• Almost all banana plants are downed
• Some big trees (acacia, mango, etc.) are broken or uprooted,
• Dwarf-type or hybrid coconut trees are tilted or downed.
• Rice and corn crops may suffer heavy losses
• Damage to shrubbery and trees with foliage blown off; some large trees blown down.
• Ocean Wave Height: (Open Sea) 14.0 meters Storm surge may reach up to 3.6 meters

Public Storm Warning Signal No. 02 (61-120kph Expected in 24 hrs.)

LUZON: Masbate including Burias Island, Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte, Marinduque, Romblon, Southern Quezon

VISAYAS: Leyte and Biliran

Impacts of the wind:

• Light to Moderate damage to high risk structures;
• Very light to light damage to medium-risk structures;
• No damage to very light damage to low risk structures
• Unshielded, old dilapidated schoolhouses, makeshift shanties, and other structures of light materials are partially damaged or unroofed.
• A number of nipa and cogon houses may be partially or totally unroofed.
• Some old galvanized iron (G.I.) roofs may be peeled or blown off.
• Some wooden, old electric posts are tilted or downed.
• Some damage to poorly constructed signs/billboards
• In general, the winds may bring light to moderate damage to the exposed communities. Most banana plants, a few mango trees, ipil-ipil and similar types of trees are downed or broken
• Some coconut trees may be tilted with few others broken
• Rice and corn may be adversely affected
• Considerable damage to shrubbery and trees with some heavy-foliaged trees blown down.
• Open Sea Wave Height: 4.1-14.0 meters Storm surge possible at coastal areas

Public Storm Warning Signal No. 01 (30-60kph Expected in 36 hrs.)

LUZON: Oriental Mindoro, Batangas, Laguna, Rest of Quezon

VISAYAS: Southern Leyte, Northern Cebu including Bantayan and Camotes Islands, Aklan, Capiz, Northern Negros Occidental

MINDANAO: Dinagat province and Siargao Island

Impacts of the wind:

• Very light or no damage to low risk structures,
• Light damage to medium to high risk structures
• Slight damage to some houses of very light materials or makeshift structures in exposed communities. Some banana plants are tilted, a few downed and leaves are generally damaged.
• Twigs of small trees may be broken.
• Rice crops, however, may suffer significant damage when it is in its flowering stage.
• Wave Height (Open Sea): 1.25-4.0 meters

The estimated rainfall amount is from moderate to heavy within the 300 km diameter of the typhoon.

PAGASA said it is possible to raise PSWS #1 over the rest of Southern Luzon and Metro Manila tomorrow.

Storm surges of up to 3.6 meters are possible over the areas under PSWS #2 and #3.