Rosal to bring heavy rains, strong winds to Luzon despite no landfall

MANILA, Philippines — Due to the size of Super Typhoon Rosal (international name: Champi), heavy rains and strong winds are expected to affect several parts of Luzon on Wednesday, even though the storm is not expected to make landfall in the country, the state weather bureau said.

According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), Rosal was last spotted 990 kilometers (km) east of Northern Luzon, carrying maximum sustained wind speeds of 215 km per hour (kph) and gustiness of up to 265 kph. 

Article continues after this advertisement

READ: PH Weather Updates Today: Storm News and PAGASA Forecasts

FEATURED STORIES

NEWSINFO

NEWSINFO

NEWSINFO

It continues to move west northwestward at 30 kph and is not expected to directly hit the country’s landmass throughout its forecast period.

“Pero malawak ang bagyo kaya malaking bahagi ng ating bansa ang makakaranas ng malakas na bugso ng hangin pati na rin pagulan,” Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) weather specialist Chenel Dominguez said.

(However, the storm is vast, so a large part of our country will experience strong gusts of wind as well as rain.)

According to Dominguez, Rosal is expected to bring heavy rains and gusty winds over Batanes, Apayao, Ilocos Norte, Isabela and Catanduanes on Wednesday.

Article continues after this advertisement

It is also forecast to bring overcast skies with chances of rain in Ilocos Sur, as well as parts of Cordillera Administrative Region, Cagayan Valley, Bicol Region and Quezon Province.

As of writing, Pagasa then said that Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 is already raised over the following areas:

Article continues after this advertisement

• Batanes
• Babuyan Islands
• Northern portion of Ilocos Norte (Pagudpud)
• Northern and eastern portions of mainland Cagayan (Santa Ana, Gonzaga, Lal-lo, Santa Teresita, Camalaniugan, Aparri, Buguey, Gattaran, Baggao, Peñablanca, Santa Praxedes, Claveria, Sanchez-Mira, Pamplona, Ballesteros, Abulug, Allacapan)
• Northeastern portion of Isabela (Maconacon, Divilacan, Palanan)
• Northeastern portion of Catanduanes (Pandan, Bagamanoc, Panganiban, Viga, Gigmoto)

Meanwhile, fair weather is expected in the rest of the country, including the remaining parts of Luzon.

However, localized thunderstorms remain likely, especially in the afternoon and evening. /jpv