As Typhoon “Marce” (international name: Yinxing) nears, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) warned that the critical period for northern Luzon will begin on Thursday afternoon, Nov. 7.

In a press briefing, PAGASA Assistant Weather Services Chief Chris Perez said the critical period for northern Luzon will begin Thursday afternoon and last through Friday, Nov. 8.

He said the center of Marce may make landfall or pass very close to Santa Ana or Camiguin Island in Cagayan province between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Thursday.

As of 10 a.m., the typhoon’s center was located 175 kilometers east of Aparri, Cagayan.

Perez added that after Cagayan, the center of Marce will closely approach Apayao and Ilocos Norte. If the typhoon shifts further southwest, its center could pass directly over these areas.

However, he warned that all areas under warning signals must prepare for severe weather that may persist until Friday.

In its 11 a.m. bulletin, PAGASA said Marce has further intensified with maximum sustained winds of 175 kilometers per hour (kph) near its center and gusts reaching 215 kph.

Wind signals

Due to the potentially “very destructive” winds of Typhoon Marce, Signal No. 4 has been raised over the northern portion of Cagayan (Gonzaga, Santa Ana, Santa Teresita, Lal-Lo, Buguey, Aparri, Camalaniugan, Gattaran, Ballesteros, Allacapan, Abulug, Pamplona, Sanchez-Mira, Claveria, Santa Praxedes, Lasam, including Babuyan Islands), northern portion of Apayao (Santa Marcela, Luna, Flora, Calanasan, Pudtol), and northern portion of Ilocos Norte (Pagudpud, Bangui, Vintar, Dumalneg, Adams, Bacarra, Pasuquin, Burgos).

Signal No. 3 remains in effect over Batanes, the rest of Cagayan, the rest of Apayao, the rest of Ilocos Norte, northern portion of Abra (Tineg, Danglas, Lagayan, Lacub, San Juan, La Paz, Bangued), and northern portion of Ilocos Sur.

Signal No. 2 is still up over the northern and central portions of Isabela (San Pablo, Santa Maria, Divilacan, Tumauini, Maconacon, Cabagan, Santo Tomas, Quezon, Palanan, Ilagan City, Mallig, Delfin Albano, Quirino, San Mariano, Gamu, Roxas, Naguilian, Burgos, Reina Mercedes, Benito Soliven, Luna, Aurora, San Manuel, San Mateo, Alicia, Angadanan, City of Cauayan, Cabatuan), the rest of Abra, Kalinga, Mountain Province, northern portion of Ifugao (Alfonso Lista, Aguinaldo, Mayoyao, Banaue, Hungduan), northern portion of Benguet (Bakun, Mankayan), the rest of Ilocos Sur, and northern portion of La Union (Sudipen, Bangar, Balaoan, Luna, Santol).

Areas under Signal No. 1 are the rest of La Union, Pangasinan, the rest of Ifugao, the rest of Benguet, the rest of Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, northern and central portions of Aurora (Dilasag, Casiguran, Dinalungan, Dipaculao, Maria Aurora, Baler), northern portion of Nueva Ecija (Carranglan), and northern portion of Zambales (Santa Cruz, Candelaria).

Heavy rainfall

Perez warned that heavy rains may prevail over parts of Luzon in the next 24 to 48 hours.

PAGASA warned of intense to torrential rainfall (over 200 millimeters) in Cagayan and Apayao from Thursday noon to Friday noon.

Heavy to intense rainfall (100 to 200 millimeters) may also affect Batanes, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Isabela and Abra, while moderate to heavy rains may prevail over Kalinga, La Union, Benguet, Ifugao, and Mountain Province.

From Friday noon to Saturday noon, the concentration of intense to torrential rainfall will shift to Ilocos Norte, while heavy to intense precipitation may persist in Ilocos Sur, Apayao, and Babuyan Islands.

Meanwhile, moderate to heavy rainfall may affect mainland Cagayan, Batanes, Kalinga, La Union, Abra, and Mountain Province.

Rough seas

PAGASA also issued a storm surge warning and a gale warning due to rough seas and stormy weather.

There is a high risk of life-threatening storm surge with peak surge heights exceeding 3 meters above normal tide levels over the low-lying or exposed coastal localities of Batanes, Cagayan (including Babuyan Islands), Isabela, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, and La Union within the next 48 hours.

A gale warning has been also issued over the seaboards of Northern Luzon and Central Luzon due to “up to very rough, high, or very high seas” in these areas.

The typhoon is expected to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility by Friday afternoon or evening.