Several areas in Cagayan and Isabela were placed under Signal No. 1 as Super Typhoon Betty maintains its strength, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said on Saturday.
In its 11 AM weather bulletin, PAGASA said the following areas are under Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 1:
Eastern portion of Cagayan
- Santa Ana
- Gonzaga
- Lal-Lo
- Gattaran
- Baggao
- Peñablanca
- Santa Teresita
- Buguey
- Babuyan and Camiguin Islands
Eastern portion of Isabela
- Maconacon
- Divilacan
- Dinapigue
- Palanan
- San Mariano
- Ilagan City
- Tumauini
- San Pablo
- Cabagan
PAGASA said Super Typhoon Betty was last located 1,170 kilometers East of Central Luzon. It has maximum sustained winds of 195 km/h near the center and a gust of up to 240 km/h, and it is moving west-northwestward at 30 km/h.
In a press briefing, PAGASA weather forecaster Dan Villamil said ST Betty is forecasted to remain in the Super Typhoon category over the weekend.
By Monday, he said Super Typhoon Betty will be moving northwestward and it is expected to slow down.
"Mananatili 'yung almost stationary characteristic dito sa bahagi ng Eastern section ng extreme Northern Luzon area pagsapit ng Tuesday hanggang sa Wednesday," the state weather bureau forecaster added.
Villamil said they are not ruling out the possibility of the "short-term intensifcation or 'yung biglaang paglakas ng bagyo in 12 to 24 hours."
Rainfall forecast
According to PAGASA, heavy rains will be experienced in Batanes, Babuyan Island, northern portions of Mailand Cagayan, Ilocos Norte, and Apayao from Monday morning to Tuesday morning.
Light to moderate rains will be experienced in Babuyan Islands, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, and La Union; and light to moderate rains in Cordillera Administrative Region and the northern portion of mainland Cagayan from Tuesday morning to Wednesday morning.
Severe winds
The state weather bureau said enhanced Southwest monsoon will bring severe winds on Visayas, eastern portions of Central and Southern Luzon, and the northern and eastern portions of Mindanao.
A gale warning will be issued on Saturday afternoon or evening due to expected moderate to rough seas, PAGASA said.
