The US Naval Observatory’s Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) said Tuesday night “Lawin” (international name “Haima”) is now a super typhoon.
‘Lawin’ was reportedly moving west-northwest at 25 kph and will drench the provinces of Cagayan, Isabela and northern Aurora, according to the Philippine weather bureau PAGASA.
In its latest advisory Tuesday night, PAGASA has yet to raise ‘Lawin’ to a super typhoon status because of differences in its measurements compared to the US’ JTWC. The Japan Meteorological Agency, however, has classified ‘Lawin’ as violent typhoon, the highest among its intensity classifications.
‘Lawin’ was packing maximum sustained winds of 195 kilometers per hour (kph) and gusts of 240 kph.
Storm surges of 5 meters are expected along the coastal areas of Cagayan, Ilocos Norte and Isabela.
Storm signal number 2 was raised in Cagayan, Isabela and northern Aurora.
Storm signal number 1 was raised in the following provinces:
Calayan group of islands
Batanes group of islands
Ilocos Norte
Ilocos Sur
Apayao
Abra
Kalinga
Mountain Province
Ifugao
La Union
Benguet
Tarlac
Nueva Vizcaya
Quirino
Pangasinan
Nueva ECija
Rest of Aurora
Zambales
Pampanga
Bulacan
Northern Quezon
Polilio Islands
Camarines Norte
Camarines Sur
Catanduanes