TYPHOON MARCE WEAKENS, BUT MORE NORTHERN LUZON AREAS NOW UNDER SIGNAL NO. 4

MANILA – Typhoon Marce (international name Yinxing) continues to lose strength, but as of 5 a.m. on Friday (08 Nov 20024), more regions in Northern Luzon have been placed under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 4, according to the latest update from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

The typhoon currently has maximum sustained winds of 155 km/h near the center and gusts reaching up to 215 km/h. As of 4 a.m., it was located over the coastal waters of Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte.

Areas Under TCWS No. 4

The following areas are expected to experience typhoon-force winds:

Ilocos Norte

Northern Ilocos Sur (Sinait, Cabugao)

Northern Abra (Danglas, Lagayan, Tineg)

Northwestern Apayao (Calanasan)

Northwestern Cagayan (Sanchez-Mira, Claveria, Santa Praxedes)

TCWS No. 3

A TCWS No. 3 is in effect for the southern and western portions of the Babuyan Islands (Fuga, Dalupiri, Calayan, Camiguin), northern and western Cagayan, the rest of Apayao, central Abra, and the northern portion of Ilocos Sur, among other areas. In these regions, storm-force winds will prevail.

TCWS No. 2 and No. 1

Other areas, including Batanes, Isabela, Kalinga, and portions of Benguet and La Union, have been placed under TCWS No. 2, where gale-force winds are expected. Meanwhile, TCWS No. 1 has been raised in additional areas, where strong winds are anticipated.

PAGASA warned of strong to gale-force gusts across Batanes, Cagayan, the Babuyan Islands, Isabela, and the Ilocos region, due to the northeasterly wind flow and the outer periphery of Typhoon Marce.

Dangerous Storm Surges and Heavy Rains

PAGASA also issued a warning for life-threatening storm surges, with peak heights exceeding 3 meters, especially in the low-lying or exposed coastal areas of Batanes, Cagayan, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, and La Union. These surges are expected to occur within the next 48 hours.

Heavy to intense rainfall is forecast for Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Apayao, and Abra, while moderate to heavy rains are expected over La Union, Kalinga, and Cagayan.

Gale Warning in Effect

A gale warning has also been issued for the seaboards of Northern Luzon, making sea travel risky for all types of vessels.

PAGASA expects Typhoon Marce to continue weakening and exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility by Friday afternoon or evening.

ia/mnm