'Bagyong Jolina' PAGASA weather update August 25, 2017

MANILA, Philippines - 'Bagyong Jolina' (international name: Pakhar) has intensified into a tropical storm and has slightly accelerated as it moves closer towards Northern-Central Luzon areas, state weather bureau PAGASA announced in its 5:00 a.m. update on today, August 25, 2017.

At 4:00 a.m. today, the center of Tropical Storm 'Jolina' was estimated based on all available data at 300 km East Southeast of Casiguran, Aurora (15.3°N, 124.7°E).

'Bagyong Jolina' has maximum sustained winds of up to 65 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 80 kph. It is forecast to move West Northwest at 19 kph.

Forecast Positions:

• 24 Hour (Tomorrow morning): In the vicinity of Tubo, Abra (17.2°N, 120.8°E)
• 48 Hour (Sunday morning): 625 km West of Basco, Batanes (OUTSIDE PAR) (20.2°N, 116.0°E)
• 72 Hour (Monday morning): 1,250 km West Northwest of Basco, Batanes (OUTSIDE PAR) (22.4°N, 110.1°E)
• 96 Hour (Tuesday morning):1,645 km West Northwest of Basco, Batanes (OUTSIDE PAR) (22.7°N, 106.3°E)

Tropical cyclone warning signal (TCWS) No. 2 (61-120 kph Expected in 24 hours) is up in 7 Luzon areas: Isabela, Northern Aurora, Quirino, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, and Nueva Vizcaya.

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.

Wave Height: (Open Sea) 4.1-14.0 meters Storm surge possible at coastal areas

Meanwhile, Signal No. 1 (30-60 kph Expected in 36 hours) was raised over Cagayan including Babuyan group of islands, Apayao, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Abra, La Union, Benguet, rest of Aurora, Nueva Ecija, Pangasinan, Northern Quezon including Polillo island, Catanduanes, Camarines Norte and Camarines Sur.

Impact 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

PAGASA said that the estimated rainfall amount is from moderate to heavy within the 400 km diameter of the Tropical Storm.

'Jolina' is expected to further intensify before making landfall over Isabela-Aurora area this evening (25 August).

In addition, moderate to occasionally heavy rains is expected over most parts of Luzon beginning today. Residents in these areas, especially those under Tropical Cyclone Warning Signals 2 and 1 are alerted against possible flashfloods and landslides.

Sea travel is risky over the seaboard of Northern Luzon and the eastern seaboards of Central and Southern Luzon.