MANILA, Philippines — Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1 was hoisted over five provinces, including nine towns, in northern Luzon as Tropical Storm Ambo (international name: Vongfong) accelerated towards the West Philippine Sea on Saturday afternoon, the state weather bureau said.
In its 5 p.m. severe weather bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) placed Ilocos Norte, Batanes, Babuyan Islands, the northwestern portion of Cagayan (Santa Praxedes, Claveria, Sanchez Mira, Pamplona, Abulug, Ballesteros), and the northern portion of Apayao (Calanasan, Luna) under Signa No. 1.
According to Pagasa, Ambo picked up speed from 25 kilometers per hour (kph) to 30 kph and was spotted north northwest of Laoag City in Ilocos Norte around 4 p.m., packing maximum sustained winds of up to 65 kph and gustiness of up to 80 kph.
Pagasa said the tropical storm will bring light to moderate rains over the Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, Cagayan Valley, and the northern portion of Aurora on Saturday night while moderate to heavy rains could be expected over Batanes and the Babuyan Islands from Saturday evening until Sunday.
Pagasa also said Tropical Storm Ambo could exit the Philippine area of responsibility on Monday, May 18.