Signal No. 1 up in Batanes; 'Jenny' slightly intensifies over PH sea

The state weather bureau on Sunday, Oct. 1, hoisted Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) number 1 over Batanes.

In its 5 p.m. weather update, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) raised the wind signal as Severe Tropical Storm (STS) Jenny slightly intensified while moving northwestward over the Philippine Sea.

"We have now raised tropical cyclone wind signal number 1 in the province of Batanes," PAGASA weather specialist Benison Estareja said in a mix of English and Filipino.

"So ibig sabihin, in our first issuance, mag bibilang tayo ng 36 hours o isa't kalahating araw bago maramdaman ng Batanes ang malalakas na hangin (so, in our first issuance, it means we have approximately 36 hours or about one and a half days before Batanes experiences the strong winds)," he added.

"We have until tomorrow as preparation time, giving us time to prepare for the strong winds brought by 'Jenny'," Estareja said.

The severe tropical storm intensified from the reported maximum sustained wind of 95 kilometers per hour (kph) at 11 a.m. weather forecast to 100 kph and gustiness of up to 125 kph in the 5 p.m. PAGASA bulletin.

READ:

https://mb.com.ph/2023/10/1/jenny-intensifies-into-severe-tropical-storm-heavy-rains-likely-over-parts-of-ph

"Jenny" was last spotted 760 kilometers (km) east of Aparri, Cagayan, and was moving northwestward at 15 kph.

Effect of TCWS No. 1

As PAGASA hoisted TCWS No. 1 over Batanes, localities in the area may expect winds of 39 to 61 kph and the possibility of intermittent rains within the next 36 hours.

The wind signal's potential effects are very light or no damage to low-risk structures; light damage to medium to high-risk structures; slight damage to some houses of very light materials or makeshift structures in exposed communities; some banana plants are tilted, a few downed and leaves are generally damaged; twigs of small trees may be broken; and rice crops, however, may suffer significant damage when it is in its flowering stage.

Rainfall forecast

Due to STS Jenny, PAGASA has forecasted the possibility of up to 25 millimeters (mm) of rainfall in Mainland Cagayan, Isabela, Quezon (including Polillo Islands), Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Albay, Sorsogon, Northern Samar, and Eastern Samar starting Oct. 1 to Oct. 2.

Meanwhile, the forecasted accumulated rainfall from noon of Oct. 2 to noon of Oct. 3 is expected to range from 50 to 100 mm in Batanes, the Babuyan Islands, mainland Cagayan, and Isabela.

Moreover, PAGASA anticipates 50 to 100 mm of rainfall in Batanes, Babuyan Islands, mainland Cagayan, Isabela, Ilocos Norte, and Apayao from Tuesday afternoon to Wednesday noon.