MANILA, Philippines – 'Bagyong Nika' (international name: Toraji) maintained its strength as it moves westward over the Philippine Sea East of Quezon, state weather bureau PAGASA announced in its 11:00 a.m. update on Sunday, November 10, 2024.
At 10:00 a.m. today, the center of Severe Tropical Storm 'Nika' was estimated based on all available data including from Daet Weather Radar at 500 km East of Infanta, Quezon.
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| Satellite image of Severe Tropical Storm Nika as of 10:30 am, November 10, 2024. Photo courtesy: DOST-PAGASA |
'Bagyong Nika' has maximum sustained winds of 100 km/h near the center, gustiness of up to 125 km/h, and central pressure of 985 hPa. It is moving westward at 30 km/h.
TROPICAL CYCLONE WIND SIGNALS (TCWS) IN EFFECT
Signal No. 2 was hoisted in Luzon areas: northern and central portions of Aurora (Dilasag, Casiguran, Dinalungan, Dipaculao, Maria Aurora, Baler), Isabela, Quirino, the southern portion of Cagayan (Solana, Iguig, Peñablanca, Tuguegarao City, Enrile), Nueva Vizcaya, Kalinga, Mountain Province, and Ifugao.
Signal No. 1 is up in the following Luzon areas:
- the rest of Cagayan including Babuyan Islands
- Apayao
- Abra
- Ilocos Norte
- Ilocos Sur
- the eastern and central portions of Pangasinan (San Nicolas, Tayug, Natividad, San Quintin, Umingan, Basista, Villasis, Malasiqui, San Fabian, Urbiztondo, Bautista, Mangaldan, Mapandan, Rosales, Dagupan City, Binalonan, Aguilar, Alcala, San Manuel, Asingan, Santo Tomas, Pozorrubio, Santa Maria, City of Urdaneta, Laoac, Mangatarem, San Carlos City, Manaoag, Binmaley, San Jacinto, Bayambang, Calasiao, Santa Barbara, Balungao, Sison, Lingayen, Bugallon, Labrador)
- La Union
- Benguet
- the rest of Aurora
- Tarlac
- Nueva Ecija
- Pampanga
- Bulacan
- the northern portion of Metro Manila (City of Navotas, City of Valenzuela, City of Malabon, Caloocan City, City of Marikina, City of Pasig, Quezon City)
- Rizal
- the northeastern portion of Laguna (Santa Maria, Mabitac, Pakil, Pangil, Famy, Siniloan, Paete, Kalayaan, Cavinti, Lumban, Luisiana)
- the eastern portion of Quezon (Calauag, Guinayangan, Tagkawayan, Pitogo, San Andres, Buenavista, San Francisco, Pagbilao, Infanta, Lopez, Catanauan, Mulanay, Unisan, General Luna, Plaridel, Quezon, Alabat, Sampaloc, Padre Burgos, Macalelon, Mauban, Perez, Agdangan, Gumaca, Atimonan, Real, San Narciso, General Nakar, Lucban, City of Tayabas, Lucena City) including Pollilo Islands
- Camarines Norte
- Camarines Sur
- Catanduanes
- Albay (Malinao, Tiwi, Bacacay, City of Tabaco, Malilipot, Rapu-Rapu)
TRACK AND INTENSITY OUTLOOK
'Nika' is forecast to move generally west northwestward throughout the forecast period.
On the track forecast, it may make landfall over Isabela or Aurora tomorrow (November 11) morning or early afternoon.
The tropical cyclone will then traverse the landmass of mainland Northern Luzon and emerge over the West Philippine Sea tomorrow evening.
'Nika' will continue moving west northwestward over the West Philippine Sea and exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) by Tuesday (November 12) afternoon or evening.
'Nika' is forecast to reach typhoon category today and may reach its peak intensity prior to landfall. A short period of weakening is expected as it traverses the landmass of Luzon due to land interaction. Re-intensification may occur over the West Philippine Sea.
TROPICAL CYCLONES THIS YEAR
'Bagyong Nika' is the Philippines' 14th tropical cyclone for 2024. It developed into a Tropical Depression on Saturday morning, November 9.
On average, there are 20 tropical cyclones that could form or enter the PAR each year. Only half of those are projected to make landfall.
READ: LIST: PAGASA releases Philippine Typhoon names in 2024
— The Summit Express
