Tropical storm “Jolina” (international name “Conson”) is forecast to re-intensify into a severe tropical storm before exiting the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) on Thursday, Sept. 9, the state weather bureau said.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) estimated the center of Jolina 75 kilometers (km) West Northwest of Iba, Zambales at 1 a.m. Thursday.
It maintained its strength packing maximum sustained winds of 85 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 115 kph while moving northwestward at 30 kph away from the country’s landmass.
“On the forecast track, Jolina will move generally northwestward today (Sept. 9) over the West Philippine Sea. It is forecast to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) tonight. Afterwards, the tropical cyclone will likely turn and move westward tomorrow (Sept. 10),” PAGASA said.
“Once offshore, Jolina is forecast to re-intensify and reach severe tropical storm category today. Furthermore, the storm may reach typhoon category on tomorrow,” it added.
Based on the 2 a.m. weather bulletin, tropical cyclone wind signal number 2 has been raised over the central portion of Zambales (San Antonio, Cabangan, San Felipe, Palauig, San Narciso, Iba, Botolan, Candelaria, Masinloc).
Meanwhile, Signal number 1 has been hoisted over the western portion of Pangasinan (Anda, Malasiqui, Bolinao, Infanta, Aguilar, Calasiao, Basista, Urbiztondo, Sual, Mangaldan, Labrador, Alcala, Dasol, San Carlos City, Santa Barbara, Bayambang, Binmaley, Mapandan, Bugallon, Burgos, Mabini, Bautista, Agno, Dagupan City, City of Alaminos, Bani, Lingayen, Santo Tomas, Mangatarem, Villasis), the western portion of Pampanga (Porac, Magalang, Lubao, Bacolor, Floridablanca, Guagua, Angeles City, City of San Fernando, Santa Rita, Mabalacat City, Sasmuan, Mexico), Bataan, Tarlac, and the rest of Zambales.
“In the next 24 hours, moderate to heavy rains will be experienced over Zambales, Bataan, Pampanga, and Pangasinan,” said PAGASA.
Under such conditions, isolated to scattered flooding, including flash floods, and rain-induced landslides are likely especially in areas that are susceptible to these hazard.