Tropical storm “Jolina” (international name “Conson”) maintained its strength on Thursday, Sept. 9, while further moving away from Luzon landmass, the state weather bureau said.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) estimated the center of Jolina at 145 kilometers (km) West Northwest of Iba, Zambales or 175 km West of Dagupan City as of 4 a.m.
Based on the 5 a.m. weather bulletin, the storm still packed a maximum sustained winds of 85 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 115 kph, while moving northwestward at 25 kph.
Signal number 1 has been hoisted over the western portion of Pangasinan (Anda, Bolinao, Infanta, Aguilar, Sual, Labrador, Dasol, Bugallon, Burgos, Mabini, Agno, City of Alaminos, Bani, Lingayen, Mangatarem) and the northern portion of Zambales (San Antonio, Botolan, San Narciso, San Felipe, Cabangan, Palauig, Iba, Masinloc, Candelaria, Santa Cruz).
“In the next 24 hours, light to moderate with at times heavy rains may be experienced over Zambales, Bataan, and Pangasinan,” PAGASA said.
Strong winds with occasional gusts will continue to threaten any of the areas under signal number 1 due to the storm, it noted, adding that all wind signals presently hoisted will likely be lifted within the day.
“On the forecast track, Jolina will move generally northwestward today over the West Philippine Sea and exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) this afternoon or tonight,” the agency said.
“Outside the PAR, the storm is forecast to move generally westward towards the vicinity of Vietnam or southern China,” it added.
State meteorologists said that Jolina is forecast to re-intensify and reach severe tropical storm category Thursday, adding that it may reach typhoon category on Friday.