Nika now a storm, Signal No. 1 up in Northern Luzon areas

Track intensity and forecast of Tropical Storm Nika (international name: Toraji) as of 5 p.m. on Saturday, November 9, 2024. (Photo by Pagasa/Facebook)

MANILA, Philippines — Tropical Cyclone Nika (international name: Toraji) intensified into a Tropical Storm on Saturday afternoon with Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1 raised over some areas in Northern Luzon, the state weather bureau said.

In its 5 p.m. weather bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said that Nika was last located some 1,005 kilometers east of Southeastern Luzon.

READ: Nika may become a severe storm by Nov 11; hit Isabela or Aurora

The tropical storm was moving westward at 35 kilometers per hour (kph). It intensified as it carried a maximum wind speed of 65 kph and gustiness of up to 80 kph.

Photo from PAGASA

Further, Pagasa issued TCWS No. 1 over the following areas:

Luzon

• Southern portion of Isabela (Dinapigue)
• Northern portion of Aurora (Dilasag, Casiguran, Dinalungan)
  Southeastern portion of mainland Quezon (Calauag, Guinayangan, Tagkawayan)
• Polillo Islands
• Camarines Norte
• Camarines Sur
• Catanduanes
• Northeastern portion of Albay (Malinao, Tiwi, City of Tabaco, Bacacay, Malilipot, Rapu-Rapu)
• Areas under this wind signal may experience minimal to minor impacts from strong winds. Pagasa noted that the highest wind signal that may be raised during the occurrence of Nika is TCWS No. 3.

Meanwhile, the following areas will experience strong gale-force gusts brought by northeasterly wind flow on Sunday:

• Batanes
• Northern Cagayan including Babuyan Islands
• Ilocos Norte

Further, Pagasa said that Nika is forecast to intensify and may reach a severe tropical storm category by Monday morning before making a landfall in Aurora or Isabela on Monday afternoon or evening.

READ: Nika may bring moderate to torrential rainfall to Northern Luzon

“Regardless of the position of the landfall point, it must be emphasized that hazards may still be experienced in areas outside the landfall point or forecast confidence cone,” the weather agency added.

No gale warning has been raised yet over any seaboards across the country.