Tropical cyclone “Emong” (international name: Co‑may) has strengthened into a typhoon, prompting the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) to warn that Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 4 may be hoisted as it approaches its projected landfall on Friday, July 25.

As of 11 a.m. Thursday, July 24, PAGASA said the center of Emong was located 220 kilometers west-southwest of Bacnotan, La Union, or 210 kilometers west of Dagupan City, Pangasinan.

Previously classified as a severe tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 110 kilometers per hour (kph) and gusts of up to 135 kph, Emong has intensified into a typhoon, now packing maximum sustained winds of 120 kph and gusts reaching 150 kph.

PAGASA weather specialist Benison Estareja said that the next 24 hours would be the most crucial period because Typhoon Emong is expected to reach its peak strength.

He added that the typhoon’s maximum sustained winds could increase slightly to 130 kph while it moves across the West Philippine Sea toward the Ilocos Region.

PAGASA said the typhoon is moving slowly but is expected to turn eastward before accelerating northeastward Thursday night.

Landfall is likely to occur Friday morning in La Union or Ilocos Sur. A close pass over northwestern Pangasinan before landfall farther north remains a possibility.

After crossing the mountainous terrain of northwestern Luzon, Emong is expected to continue moving northeastward over the Luzon Strait and into the Philippine Sea east of Taiwan.

Between late Friday morning and evening, it may either pass near or make landfall over the Babuyan Islands and Batanes.

PAGASA said Emong may still intensify slightly before landfall due to favorable environmental conditions.

However, interaction with Luzon’s terrain could lead to some weakening.

After landfall, the typhoon is expected to gradually weaken throughout the remainder of the forecast period.

Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Dante (international name: Francisco) is approaching the Ryukyu Islands in southern Japan and continues to enhance the southwest monsoon (habagat), contributing to widespread rain across Luzon.

As of 10 a.m., Dante was located 735 kilometers east-northeast of Itbayat, Batanes, moving north-northwestward at 30 kph.

It maintained its maximum sustained winds of 75 kph near the center and gusts of up to 90 kph.

PAGASA said Dante is expected to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility by Thursday afternoon or evening.

Due to Emong’s intensification, PAGASA warned that Signal No. 4 could be raised in areas within its direct path.

As of mid-Thursday, Signal No. 3 was in effect over the northern portion of Pangasinan (Anda, Bolinao, Bani), western portion of La Union (Luna, Balaoan, Bacnotan, San Juan, City of San Fernando, Bauang, Caba, Bangar), and southwestern portion of Ilocos Sur (San Esteban, Santiago, City of Candon, Santa Lucia, Santa Cruz, Tagudin).

Moderate to significant impacts from storm-force winds are possible in these areas.

Signal No. 2 remained hoisted over Ilocos Norte, the rest of Ilocos Sur, the rest of La Union, central portion of Pangasinan (Agno, Burgos, Mabini, City of Alaminos, Sual, Labrador, Bugallon, Infanta, Dasol, Lingayen, Binmaley, Dagupan City, Calasiao, Santa Barbara, Mangaldan, Mapandan, Manaoag, Laoac, Binalonan, San Manuel, San Nicolas, Pozorrubio, Sison, San Fabian, San Jacinto), Apayao, Kalinga, Abra, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Benguet, Babuyan Islands, northern and western portion of mainland Cagayan (Rizal, Santa Praxedes, Claveria, Sanchez-Mira, Pamplona, Abulug, Ballesteros, Aparri, Camalaniugan, Allacapan, Buguey, Santa Teresita, Santa Ana, Gonzaga, Lal-Lo, Lasam, Santo Niño, Piat, Tuao), and western portion of Nueva Vizcaya (Kayapa, Santa Fe).

Minor to moderate impacts from gale-force winds are possible in these areas.

Signal No. 1 was still up in Batanes, the rest of Cagayan, western and central portions of Isabela (Santo Tomas, Delfin Albano, Quezon, Mallig, Quirino, Roxas, San Manuel, Aurora, San Mateo, Ramon, Cordon, Burgos, Cabatuan, Cabagan, San Pablo, Santa Maria, Tumauini, Gamu, Luna, Maconacon, Alicia, San Mariano, Naguilian, San Guillermo, City of Cauayan, Echague, Ilagan City, Angadanan, Benito Soliven, City of Santiago, Reina Mercedes, San Agustin, Divilacan, San Isidro, Jones), the rest of Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, the rest of Pangasinan, northern and central portions of Zambales (Santa Cruz, Candelaria, Masinloc, Palauig, Iba, Botolan, Cabangan), Tarlac, and western and central portions of Nueva Ecija (Carranglan, Lupao, Talugtug, Cuyapo, Nampicuan, Guimba, Science City of Muñoz, San Jose City, Pantabangan, Rizal, Llanera, Talavera, Santo Domingo, Quezon, Licab, Aliaga, Zaragoza, San Antonio, Jaen, Cabanatuan City, Santa Rosa, General Mamerto Natividad, Palayan City, Bongabon, Laur).

Minimal to minor impacts from strong winds are possible in areas under Signal No. 1.

PAGASA said Emong, combined with the enhanced habagat, is expected to bring prolonged heavy rainfall over several areas in Luzon through the weekend.

From Thursday noon to Friday noon, moderate to heavy rainfall (50-100 millimeters) is likely over Cagayan, Kalinga, Apayao, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, Nueva Ecija, Quezon, Oriental Mindoro, Palawan, Marinduque, Romblon, Antique, Camarines Sur, and Albay.

Heavy to intense rainfall (100-200 millimeters) is expected over Ilocos Norte, Tarlac, Abra, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Metro Manila, Pampanga, Bulacan, Cavite, Batangas, Laguna, and Rizal.

Intense to torrential rains (over 200 millimeters) may affect Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Zambales, Benguet, Bataan and Occidental Mindoro.

From Friday noon to Saturday noon, July 26, moderate to heavy rains will persist in Ilocos Sur, Abra, Kalinga, Nueva Vizcaya, Nueva Ecija, Bulacan, Metro Manila, Laguna, Rizal, Oriental Mindoro, Palawan, Marinduque, and Romblon.

Heavy to intense rainfall may prevail over Ilocos Norte, Apayao, Batanes, Cagayan, Zambales, Bataan, Occidental Mindoro, La Union, Pangasinan, Benguet, Tarlac, Pampanga, Cavite, and Batangas.

From Saturday noon to Sunday noon, July 27, moderate to heavy rainfall may continue in Tarlac, Pampanga, and Palawan.

Heavy to intense rainfall may persist in Zambales, Bataan, and Occidental Mindoro.

PAGASA advised residents, particularly in low-lying and mountainous areas, to remain vigilant against possible flash floods and landslides.

PAGASA also warned of a minimal to moderate risk of life-threatening storm surge with peak heights of one to two meters within 36 hours in low-lying or exposed coastal areas of Batanes, Cagayan, including Babuyan Islands, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, and Zambales.

A gale warning also remains in effect over the western seaboards of Luzon, with sea conditions hazardous for all vessels.

Mariners are advised to stay in port or seek shelter until winds and waves subside.