Typhoon ‘Lawin’ gets stronger, heads far northern Luzon

Project NOAH as of September 26, 2012, 11:32 AM. Screengrab from https://noah.dost.gov.ph

MANILA, Philippines—Typhoon Lawin gained more strength as it headed farther northern Luzon, the state weather bureau said Wednesday.

Public storm warning signal number 2 remained hoisted in Batanes Group of Islands and Cagayan including Calayan and Babuyan Group of Islands, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said.

Public storm warning signal number 1 was raised in Ilocos Norte, Kalinga, Apayao, Abra and Isabela.

It was last seen 435 km east of Tuguegarao, with maximum sustained winds of 215 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 250 kph.

The typhoon also moved slowly northwest towards Batanes-Cagayan at 9 kph.

Lawin was forecast to be 290 km East of Aparri, Cagayan by Thursday morning. By Friday morning, it will be at 80 km northeast of Calayan Island and at 205 km northwest of Basco, Batanes by Saturday morning.

Heavy to intense rains were seen to be brought by Lawin and will enhance the southwest monsoon that will bring occasional moderate to heavy rains in Mimaropa, Bicol region and Visayas.