Typhoon ‘Pepito’ (Man-Yi) continues to move northwestward over the West Philippine Sea (WPS), the state weather bureau said on Monday morning.
According to the latest 5 AM advisory from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), Typhoon ‘Pepito’ is moving northeastward at 30 kilometers per hour with maximum sustained winds of 130 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 160 kph.
Its center was last estimated at 145 km west of Sinait, Ilocos Sur.
Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 3 is raised over the northern and western portions of Ilocos Sur, the northwestern portion of La Union, and the western portion of Abra.
Meanwhile, TCWS No. 2 is hoisted over Ilocos Norte, the rest of Ilocos Sur, the rest of La Union, Pangasinan, the rest of Abra, the western portion of Mountain Province, Benguet, and the northern portion of Zambales.
Finally, TCWS No. 1 prevails over Apayao, Kalinga, the rest of Mountain Province, Ifugao, the western portion of Cagayan, Nueva Vizcaya, the northern and central portions of Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, and the central portion of Zambales.
The weather disturbance is expected to continue moving northwestward to west northwestward today over the West Philippine Sea until it exits the PAR region this morning or noon. Outside the PAR region, the tropical cyclone will turn more westward or west southwestward on Tuesday under the influence of an incoming northeasterly wind surge.
“Further weakening will also occur as Pepito moves over the West Philippine Sea due to the same surge creating an unfavorable environment. This tropical cyclone may become a remnant low by Wednesday late evening or Thursday early morning over the coast of southern China,” PAGASA said.
In the low-lying or exposed coastal localities of Ilocos Region, Isabela, and Central Luzon, there is still a moderate to high risk of storm surge that may occur in the next 48 hours.