Tropical Storm Nika Update: Wind Signal No. 1 Raised as It Neareds PAR Exit

Severe Tropical Storm Nika Affects Luzon

Areas Under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1 has been raised over four areas in Luzon as Severe Tropical Storm Nika is nearing the end of its passage through the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR). These areas are:

• The northern portion of Ilocos Norte: Sarrat, Piddig, Bangui, Vintar, Burgos, Pagudpud, Bacarra, Adams, Pasuquin, Carasi, San Nicolas, Dumalneg, and Laoag City.
• The northern portion of Apayao: Luna and Calanasan.
• The northwestern portion of Cagayan: Abulug, Pamplona, Sanchez-Mira, Santa Praxedes, and Claveria.
• The northwestern portion of Babuyan Islands: Calayan Island, Dalupiri Island, and Fuga Island.

Weather Conditions

PAGASA reports that these areas can expect strong winds ranging from 39 to 61 km/h within the next 36 hours, which may result in minimal to minor threats to life and property[3].

Nika’s Current Status

• Location: As of 11 a.m., Nika was spotted approximately 225 kilometers west northwest of Laoag City or 315 kilometers west of Calayan, Cagayan.
• Wind Speed: Nika has sustained winds of 95 km/h near the center, with gustiness up to 115 km/h and a central pressure of 990 hPa.
• Direction: Nika is moving northwestward at a speed of 10 km/h, bringing strong to storm-force winds that extend up to 320 km from the center.
• Forecast: Nika is expected to continue moving generally northwestward to westward over the West Philippine Sea and may exit PAR Tuesday afternoon.

Ocean Warnings

• Seas: The northeasterly wind flow will bring strong to gale-force gusts over various areas, including Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Batanes, Cagayan including Babuyan Islands, and Isabela. A gale warning is currently in effect over the western seaboard of Northern Luzon.
• Wave Heights: Expect up to very rough or high seas (up to 4.0 meters) in Ilocos Norte and northern Ilocos Sur. Other affected coastal waters include:
  • Batanes and Cagayan including Babuyan Islands: Up to 3.5 meters
  • Ilocos Region and northern Isabela: Up to 3.0 meters
  • Remaining western and eastern seabards of Luzon, and eastern seabards of Visayas and Mindanao: Up to 2.0 meters[3].

Other Tropical Cyclones

• Tropical Storm Ofel: Located east of Eastern Visayas, Ofel entered PAR Tuesday morning with sustained winds of 75 km/h and gustiness up to 90 km/h, moving west-northwestward at a speed of 25 km/h.
• Tropical Storm Man-Yi: Outside of PAR, Man-Yi was 2,870 kilometers east of Southeastern Luzon, packing sustained winds of 85 km/h and gustiness up to 105 km/h, moving westward at a speed of 10 km/h[3].

By prioritizing clarity and simplicity, this content aims to enhance readability while providing essential information about the current weather situation in Luzon.