Tropical Depression Pepito slightly accelerates west-northwestward towards Northern-Central Luzon Area, Pagasa said on its latest severe weather bulletin.
At 4:00 AM today, the center of Tropical Depression “PEPITO” was estimated based on all available data at 440 km East of Infanta, Quezon (15.1 °N, 125.7 °E ).
It moves West Northwestward at 25 km/h with maximum sustained winds of 55 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 70 km/h.
Pepito will move west-northwestward towards the Northern-Central Luzon area. The center of this tropical cyclone is forecast to make landfall over the coast of the Aurora-Isabela area tonight, cross the Luzon landmass, and emerge over the West Philippine Sea tomorrow morning.
Tropical Depression Pepito may reach tropical storm category before making landfall. However, there remains a possibility that this tropical cyclone makes landfall as a tropical depression. After crossing Luzon’s landmass, “PEPITO” is forecast to intensify and may reach a severe tropical storm category by Thursday.
Today, Tropical depression Pepito will bring moderate to heavy rains over Bicol Region, Marinduque, Romblon, Quezon, Aurora, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, Isabela, mainland Cagayan, Pangasinan, and Benguet. Light to moderate with at times heavy rains will be experienced over Metro Manila, Cordillera Administrative Region, MIMAROPA, Western Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Bangsamoro, Northern Mindanao, and the rest of Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, CALABARZON, and MIMAROPA.
Also read: Manila shortens curfew hours, increases church, mosque capacity
Tropical Depression Pepito Signal No.1
- Isabela,Quirino,Nueva Vizcaya,Abra,Kalinga,Mountain Province,Ifugao,Benguet,Ilocos Sur,La Union,Pangasinan,Aurora,Nueva Ecija,Tarlac,Zambales,Bulacan,Pampanga,Bataan,Metro Manila,Rizal,the northern portion of Quezon (General Nakar,Infanta,Real) including Polillo Islands,the extreme northern portion of Camarines Norte (Vinzons)
- and Catanduanes
Flooding (including flash floods) and rain-induced landslides may occur during heavy or prolonged rainfall, especially in areas that are highly or very highly susceptible to these hazards. PAGASA Regional Services Divisions may issue local thunderstorm/rainfall advisories and heavy rainfall warnings as appropriate.
High winds (strong to near gale) will be experienced in areas under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) #1. High winds to gale-force winds with occasional gusts due to the northeasterly surface wind flow will be experienced over Batanes, Babuyan Islands, and the coastal and/or mountainous areas of mainland Cagayan, Apayao, and Ilocos Norte.