Santa ana: Tropical Storm Crising maintained its strength while passing close to Santa Ana, Cagayan, the weather bureau said Friday. In its 8 p.m. advisory, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) reported that the storm's center was approximately 100 km northeast of Aparri, Cagayan.
According to Philippines News Agency, Crising is moving north-northwestward at 20 kph, with maximum sustained winds of 75 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 90 kph. Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 2 has been issued for Batanes, Cagayan, including the Babuyan Islands, Isabela, Apayao, Kalinga, and the northern and central portions of Abra.
The eastern portion of Mountain Province, the eastern portion of Ifugao, Ilocos Norte, and the northern portion of Ilocos Sur are also under TCWS No. 2. Meanwhile, TCWS No. 1 is effective over Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, the rest of Mountain Province, the rest of Ifugao, the rest of Abra, Benguet, the rest of Ilocos Sur, La Union, and the northern portion of Pangasinan, among other areas.
PAGASA indicated that minor to moderate impacts from gale-force winds are possible in areas under TCWS No. 2. Additionally, there is a minimal to moderate risk of life-threatening storm surge with peak heights reaching 1.0 to 2.0 meters within 24 hours over low-lying or exposed coastal areas of Batanes, Cagayan, including Babuyan Islands, Ilocos Norte, and Ilocos Sur.
The southwest monsoon, known locally as 'habagat,' is expected to bring strong to gale-force gusts over several regions, including Zambales, Bataan, Cavite, Batangas, Quezon, the Bicol Region, Mimaropa, Visayas, and parts of Mindanao.
Crising is forecasted to move west-northwestward within the next 12 hours and may make landfall or pass close to the Babuyan Islands Friday evening. It is expected to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility by Saturday morning or afternoon, while continuing to intensify until reaching severe tropical storm status by Saturday evening or Sunday early morning.
