Heads up: Pepito intensifies into typhoon, more areas under wind signal warning
Rain check on your outdoor plans. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has issued an advisory for Metro Manila and surrounding provinces for this weekend.
The weather bureau on Friday afternoon said that Pepito rapidly intensified into a typhoon, while Ofel weakened into a severe tropical storm.
As of 4 p.m., its location was 465 kph east of Guiuan, Eastern Samar, with maximum winds of 150 kph and gusts of 185 kph.
It also said that Pepito is "forecast to move generally west northwestward within the next five days" and is more likely to make landfall over Catanduanes on the evening of Saturday or early morning on Sunday as it will continue to "rapidly intensify" and may reach the super typhoon category before its landfall.
However, it is expected to weaken slightly after landfall but will remain a typhoon as it traverses the country, before downgrading into a severe tropical storm over the West Philippine Sea on Monday.
During a press conference, PAGASA explained that a typhoon's impact isn't limited to its center; its radius means that even areas far from the eye can be affected by strong winds and heavy rain. This is why warning signals may gradually increase in certain regions as a storm like Pepito approaches.
"Ang bagyo ay hindi lamang isang tuldok. Hindi lamang itong centro na to. May tinatawag itong radius," PAGASA said. "'Yun din ang dahilan kung bakit kahit malayo pa yung bagyo, sa palugid natin, [may] lead time bago maramdaman yung epekto. 'Yung inaasahang pagkilos ay dahan-dahang mas magiging may potential na maging mas mataas ang mga warning signal sa ilang bahagi ng ating bansa."
Wind signals
Wind signals have also been raised in more areas as Typhoon Pepito rapidly intensifies. PAGASA described wind signals as "a plain text warning to particular land area that may experience winds of at least strong breeze in strength on the Beaufort Scale (i.e., 39 km/h, 22 kt or higher) within at most 36 hours from the time the signal is put into effect during the passage of a tropical cyclone."
The areas under Signal No. 2 may have winds of 62 km/h up to 88 km/h in at least 24 hours are:
- The eastern portion of Northern Samar (Mapanas, Gamay, Palapag, Lapinig, Silvino Lobos, Laoang, Catubig, Las Navas, Pambujan, Mondragon, San Roque, Catarman, Lope de Vega)
- The northern portion of Eastern Samar (Arteche, Oras, San Policarpo, Dolores, Jipapad, Maslog, Can-Avid)
- The northeastern portion of Samar (San Jose de Buan, Matuguinao)
Meanwhile, the areas under Signal No. 1 may experience winds of 39 km/h to 61 km/h or intermittent rains within the next 36 hours are:
- Aurora
- Quezon
- The eastern portion of Laguna (Santa Maria, Famy, Siniloan, Pangil, Mabitac, Pakil, Paete, Kalayaan, Lumban, Cavinti, Luisiana, Pagsanjan, Santa Cruz, Magdalena, Majayjay, Liliw, Nagcarlan, San Pablo City, Rizal)
- Marinduque
- Camarines Norte
- Camarines Sur
- Catanduanes
- Albay
- Sorsogon
- Masbate
- The rest of Northern Samar
- The rest of Eastern Samar
- The rest of Samar
- Biliran
Prepare for the worst, refrain from venturing out to the sea
PAGASA warned that "heavy rainfall, severe winds, and storm surge may still be experienced in localities outside the landfall point and the forecast confidence cone," which is why it urged the public, especially those in areas under warning signals, to prepare for the worst as Typhoon Pepito intensifies.
"Dapat lahat ng lugar na may warning signals ay maghanda. Regardless if nasa higher warning signals kayo sa mga susunod na araw or nasa wind signal #1 man kayo, kung nasasakupan ng bago kahit malayo sa centro, dapat handa po tayo lagi sa worst case scenario," it said during the press conference.
The agency also warned of potential flooding and landslides in provinces like Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Albay, and Sorsogon, urging residents to continuously monitor the weather situation and coordinate with local government units for updates.
"Continuous monitoring tayo sa pagiging pag-ulan sa mga lugar sa mga susunod na araw at wag po kayo makakalimot na patuloy makipag-ugnayan sa inyong mga local government officials at disaster risk and management officers para sa pagtuloy na paghanda sa paparating na bagyo."
It also reminded mariners of small seacrafts, including all types of motorbancas, to not venture out to sea under these conditions, especially if inexperienced or operating ill-equipped vessels.
Pepito is expected to follow a similar path as Severe Tropical Storm Kristine, which was responsible for most of the recent storm-related fatalities.