Signal No. 1 raised over northeastern Cagayan due to 'Goring'

Tropical cyclone wind signal No. 1 was hoisted over Santa Ana, Cagayan on Thursday evening, Aug. 24 in anticipation of strong winds from tropical storm Goring (international name: Saola), the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said in its 11 p.m. bulletin.
PAGASA pointed out that Goring’s strong winds may have "minimal to minor impacts" over Santa Ana, Cagayan.
Goring is slowly moving westward and was last seen 235 kilometers (km) east of Basco, Batanes.
It has maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gusts of up to 80 kph.
Rains due to ‘Goring’, enhanced ‘habagat’
PAGASA said heavy rains may prevail over Batanes and Babuyan Islands as early as Thursday evening, and over Babuyan Islands and the eastern part of mainland Cagayan by Friday evening, Aug. 25.
“Forecast rainfall are generally higher in elevated or mountainous areas. Under these conditions, flooding and rain-induced landslides are possible especially in areas that are highly or very highly susceptible to these hazards as identified in hazard maps and in localities that experienced considerable amounts of rainfall for the past several days,” it warned.
The southwest monsoon, or “habagat,” enhanced by Goring may also bring occasional rains to the western portions of Central Luzon and Southern Luzon beginning Friday.
Monsoon rains may also prevail over the western part of Visayas beginning on Saturday, Aug. 26.
‘Looping track’
PAGASA said Goring may make a sharp turn south-southwestward or southward over the waters east of Northern Luzon.
This movement is expected to continue for the next three days.
“Afterwards, the tropical cyclone will follow a looping track, beginning with a generally northeastward turn on Monday (Aug. 28), followed by a generally northward movement on Tuesday (Aug. 29),” PAGASA said.
Goring may continue to move slowly until the beginning of next week.
“Due to highly favorable environment, Goring is forecast to rapidly intensify and may reach typhoon category by Saturday morning. It may reach its peak intensity on Sunday evening, after which it is forecast to maintain strength until the end of the forecast period,” PAGASA said.
However, it noted that the possibility of Goring becoming a super typhoon is not ruled out.