Typhoon Emong has picked up speed and is expected to make landfall in either Ilocos Sur or the northern portion of La Union, according to PAGASA's 5:00 AM update.

As of the latest advisory, Emong was last located over the coastal waters of Bangar, La Union, packing maximum sustained winds of 120 km/h near the center and gusts of up to 165 km/h. The typhoon is moving northeastward at 20 km/h.

"On the forecast track, the center of EMONG will make another landfall in Ilocos Sur or La Union this morning. Afterwards, it will cross the mountainous terrain of Northern Luzon and emerge over the Babuyan Channel before noon," PAGASA stated.

Tropical Cycolne Wind Signals (TCWS) were hoisted in the following areas:

Signal No. 3

• The southern portion of Ilocos Norte (Laoag City, San Nicolas, Sarrat, Dingras, Solsona, Nueva Era, City of Batac, Marcos, Paoay, Currimao, Banna, Pinili, Badoc)
• the rest of Ilocos Sur
• the rest of La Union
• the western portion of Apayao (Conner, Kabugao, Calanasan)
• Abra
• the western portion of Kalinga (Balbalan, Pasil, Tinglayan, Lubuagan)
• the western portion of Mountain Province (Besao, Tadian, Sagada, Bauko, Sabangan, Bontoc, Sadanga)
• the western portion of Benguet (Sablan, Mankayan, Tuba, Bakun, Kibungan, Kapangan, La Trinidad, Tublay, Baguio City, Atok)
• the northern portion of Pangasinan (Lingayen, Bugallon, Infanta, Dagupan City, San Fabian, Binmaley, Labrador, Sison, Pozorrubio, San Jacinto, Mangaldan, Calasiao, Santa Barbara, Mapandan, San Carlos City, Aguilar, Bolinao, Bani, City of Alaminos, Sual, Mabini, Dasol, Burgos, Agno, Anda)

Signal No. 2

• The rest of Ilocos Norte
• the rest of Pangasinan
• the northern portion of Zambales (Masinloc, Candelaria, Palauig, Iba, Santa Cruz)
• the rest of Apayao
• the rest of Kalinga
• the rest of Mountain Province
• the rest of Benguet
• Ifugao
• Batanes
• Cagayan including Babuyan Islands
• the northern and western portions of Isabela (Cordon, City of Santiago, Ramon, San Isidro, Alicia, San Mateo, Cabatuan, San Manuel, Luna, Aurora, Burgos, Roxas, Quirino, Mallig, Delfin Albano, Quezon, Cabagan, Santa Maria, San Pablo, Maconacon, Santo Tomas, Tumauini, Gamu, Ilagan City, City of Cauayan, Reina Mercedes, Naguilian)
• the northwestern portion of Quirino (Diffun)
• the western and central portions of Nueva Vizcaya (Kayapa, Santa Fe, Ambaguio, Aritao, Bambang, Bayombong, Villaverde, Solano, Bagabag, Dupax del Sur, Dupax del Norte, Kasibu, Quezon, Diadi)
• the northwestern portion of Nueva Ecija (Nampicuan, Cuyapo, Talugtug, Lupao, Carranglan, Guimba)
• the northern portion of Tarlac (Mayantoc, Santa Ignacia, Gerona, Pura, Ramos, Anao, San Manuel, Moncada, Paniqui, Camiling, San Clemente)

"The wind signals warn the public of the general wind threat over an area due to the tropical cyclone. Local winds may be slightly stronger/enhanced in coastal and upland/mountainous areas exposed to winds," PAGASA said.

PAGASA also reported that Emong will continue moving northeastward, passing close to or over the Babuyan Islands between noon and afternoon. It may also pass near Batanes later this afternoon or evening.

“Emong may maintain its strength as it makes its second landfall. A slight weakening prior to landfall, due to increased interaction with the terrain of northwestern Luzon, is not ruled out. However, the typhoon is expected to begin a weakening trend as it continues through the forecast period,” PAGASA said.