Tropical Storm Pepito slightly intensifies as it increases its threat over Aurora province, Pagasa said on its latest severe weather bulletin.
At 4:00 PM today, the center of Tropical Storm Pepito was estimated based on all available data, including Baler and Daet Doppler Radar at 110 km East of Baler, Aurora (15.8 °N, 122.6 °E ).
It moves West Northwestward at 30 km/h with maximum sustained winds of 75 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 90 km/h.
Pepito is forecast to make landfall over the coast of Aurora between 6:00 and 10:00 PM today. It will then generally move westward while traversing the Luzon landmass and emerge over the West Philippine Sea tomorrow morning. This tropical cyclone may exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) on Thursday morning or afternoon.
After crossing Luzon’s landmass, Pepito is forecast to intensify and may reach a severe tropical storm category by Thursday.
Pepito Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal
Signal No.2
- La Union,Pangasinan,Ifugao,Benguet,Nueva Vizcaya,Quirino,Nueva Ecija,Tarlac,Aurora, the southern portion of Isabela (Palanan,San Mariano,Benito Soliven,Naguilian,Gamu,Burgos,San Manuel,Aurora,Cabatuan,Luna,Reina Mercedes,Cauayan City,Dinapigue,San Guillermo,Angadanan,Alicia,San Mateo,Ramon,San Isidro,Echague,San Agustin,Jones,Santiago City,Cordon),the southern portion of Ilocos Sur (Sugpon,Alilem,Tagudin),the northern portion of Zambales (Iba,Palauig,Masinloc,Candelaria,Santa Cruz,Botolan,Cabangan)
- and the northern portion of Quezon (General Nakar)
Signal No.1
- Abra, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Bulacan, Pampanga, Bataan, Metro Manila, Rizal, the rest of the northern portion of Quezon (Infanta, Real)
- and the rest of Zambales
Today through tomorrow morning, Pepito will bring moderate to heavy rains over Central Luzon, MIMAROPA, Camarines Norte, Quezon, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, Isabela, mainland Cagayan, La Union, Pangasinan, and Benguet. Light to moderate with at times heavy rains will be experienced over Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon, Western Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, and Bangsamoro.
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 to gale-force winds will be experienced in areas under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) #1 and 2. High 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.