Nika now a typhoon, Signal No. 4 up in several Luzon areas

Typhhon Nika

MANILA, Philippines — Several parts of northern Luzon were placed under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 4 as Nika (international name: Toraji) intensifies into a typhoon while moving west northwestward at 20 km/h over the Philippine Sea, the state weather bureau reported on Monday morning.

In its 5 a.m. bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said Typhoon Nika was last spotted 100 km east southeast of Casiguran, Aurora and is expected to make landfall over Isabela or northern Aurora this morning.

It was packing maximum sustained winds of 120 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 150 km/h.

Due to these developments, the following areas in Luzon were placed under TCWS No. 4:

Areas under TCWS No. 4 may experience winds greater than 118 km/h and up to 184 km/h for at least 12 hours.

Meanwhile, the following Luzon areas were placed under TCWS No. 3:

These areas under TCWS No. 3 may experience winds greater than 89 km/h up to 117 km/h, and which may last for at least 18 hours.

The following areas on the other hand were placed under TCWS No. 2:

These areas under TCWS No. 2 may experience winds greater than 62 km/h and up to 88 km/h, lasting for at least 24 hours.

On the other hand, the following areas were placed under TCWS No. 1

These areas under TCWS No. 1 may experience winds of 39-61 km/h, which may last for at least 36 hours. Intermittent rains may also be expected within 36 hours.

Pagasa added that Typhoon Nika is expected to traverse the landmass of mainland Luzon today and emerge over the sea west of Ilocos Sur this evening.

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