Super Typhoon Nando has sustained its intensity while moving west-northwestward over the Philippine Sea, said the state weather bureau.

Based on the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration’s (PAGASA) data, the eye of the tropical cyclone is 250 kilometers east of Aparri, Cagayan.

It packs maximum sustained winds of 185 km/h near the center with gustiness reaching up to 230 km/h as it moves west northwestward at 15 km/h.

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 3—indicating storm-force winds with speeds ranging from 89 to 117 km/h—is in effect over the following areas:

• Southern portion of Batanes (Mahatao, Uyugan, Basco, Ivana, Sabtang)

• Babuyan Islands

• Northeastern portion of mainland Cagayan (Santa Ana)

Meanwhile, TCWS No. 2, denoting gale-force winds with speeds from 62 to 88 km/hr, has been raised over the following areas:

• The rest of Batanes

• The rest of mainland Cagayan

• Northern and eastern portions of Isabela (San Mariano, Ilagan City, Tumauini, Cabagan, Palanan, Divilacan, Maconacon, San Pablo, Santa Maria, Santo Tomas, Delfin Albano, Quezon, Quirino, Mallig, Roxas, Gamu)

• Apayao

• Abra

• Kalinga

• Eastern portion of Mountain Province (Paracelis)

• Ilocos Norte

• Northern portion of Ilocos Sur (Cabugao, Sinait, San Juan, Magsingal, Santo Domingo, Bantay, San Ildefonso, San Vicente, Santa Catalina, City of Vigan, Caoayan, Santa, Nagbukel, Narvacan, Santa Maria)

Lastly, TCWS No. 1, characterized by strong winds with speeds of 39 to 61 km/h, over the following areas:

• The rest of Isabela

• Quirino

• Nueva Vizcaya

• The rest of Mountain Province

• Ifugao

• Benguet

• The rest of Ilocos Sur

• La Union

• Pangasinan

• Northern and central portions of Zambales (Santa Cruz, Candelaria, Masinloc, Iba, Palauig, Cabangan, Botolan)

• Nueva Ecija

• Tarlac

• Aurora

• Northern portion of Pampanga (Mabalacat City, Magalang, Arayat, Candaba, Angeles City, Porac, Mexico, Santa Ana, San Luis, City of San Fernando, Bacolor)

• Northern portion of Bulacan (Doña Remedios Trinidad, San Ildefonso, San Miguel, San Rafael)

• Northern portion of Quezon (General Nakar), including Polillo Islands

Super Typhoon Nando is forecasted to shift its course westward on Monday, September 22, heading for Extreme Northern Luzon.

Its center may sweep past or make landfall over Batanes or Babuyan Islands on the afternoon of the same day or by Tuesday early morning (September 23).

Although Nando is expected to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) by Tuesday, PAGASA also anticipates it may further intensify as it approaches the Extreme Northern Luzon.