Severe Tropical Storm “Marce” (international name: Yinxing) has intensified into a typhoon at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 5, raising the likelihood that the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) will issue Wind Signal No. 4 in the coming days.

In its 11 a.m. bulletin, PAGASA said Marce now has maximum sustained winds of 120 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gusts reaching 150 kph.

As the cyclone intensifies, more areas have been placed under Signal No. 1. The affected areas are Batanes, Cagayan (including Babuyan Islands), Isabela, Ilocos Norte, Apayao, Abra, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, northern portion of Nueva Vizcaya (Diadi, Bagabag, Ambaguio, Villaverde, Bayombong, Solano, Quezon, Kasibu), northern portion of Quirino (Diffun, Saguday, Cabarroguis, Aglipay, Maddela) and northern portion of Aurora (Dilasag, Casiguran, Dinalungan).

PAGASA warned that the highest wind warning, which may be issued during the passage of Marce is Signal No. 4, as the typhoon approaches northern Luzon.

It added that the typhoon is expected to continue intensifying and may reach its peak intensity before making landfall over Babuyan Islands or Cagayan.

Heavy rainfall

In its three-day rainfall outlook, PAGASA said heavy rains may prevail across parts of Cagayan Valley, Cordillera Administrative Region, and Ilocos Region.

From Tuesday noon to Wednesday noon, Nov. 6, moderate to heavy rains (50 to 100 millimeters) may affect Cagayan.

From Wednesday noon to Thursday noon, Nov. 7, moderate to heavy rainfall may persist in Cagayan, Batanes, and Apayao.

From Thursday noon to Friday noon, Nov. 8, intense to torrential rainfall (over 200 millimeters) may occur in Cagayan, while heavy to intense rains (100 to 200 millimeters) may affect Apayao, Ilocos Norte, and Batanes.

Moderate to heavy rainfall may continue in Isabela, Abra, Ilocos Sur, Kalinga, and Mountain Province.

PAGASA warned that the heavy rains could lead to flooding and landslides, particularly in areas susceptible to these hazards or those that have already experienced significant rainfall.

Landfall

Currently moving west-northwestward at 30 kph, PAGASA said Marce is expected to continue on this trajectory until Wednesday morning, before decelerating and shifting westward over the Philippine Sea, east of extreme northern Luzon.

The latest forecast shows that Marce may make landfall over Babuyan Islands or northern part of mainland Cagayan on Thursday evening or early Friday morning.

However, PAGASA said uncertainty remains regarding the strength of the high-pressure area north of Marce, which could alter the typhoon’s potential landfall location to mainland Cagayan or Isabela.

Marce is expected to exit the Philippine area of responsibility by Friday evening or early Saturday morning, Nov. 9.