Typhoon Goring approaches Luzon Strait, maintains strength

 Signal No. 3 is raised for the northeastern part of Babuyan Islands early Tuesday, August 29, given the latest track and intensity forecast for Typhoon Goring 

MANILA, Philippines – Typhoon Goring was heading for the Luzon Strait in the early hours of Tuesday, August 29, while maintaining its strength and continuing to enhance the southwest monsoon or habagat.

The Luzon Strait is between Luzon and Taiwan, which is also within the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR).

Goring was last spotted 220 kilometers east of Aparri, Cagayan, at 4 am on Tuesday. It is still moving north northwest at only 10 kilometers per hour (km/h), completing its looping path over the Philippine Sea.

The typhoon continues to have maximum sustained winds of 155 km/h and gustiness of up to 190 km/h. At its peak, Goring was a super typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 185 km/h.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said in a briefing past 5 am that Goring may follow a mainly northwest or west northwest path across the Luzon Strait from Tuesday until it leaves PAR on Wednesday evening, August 30, or Thursday morning, August 31.

Goring could pass very close to or make landfall in Batanes between Wednesday morning and afternoon. But “a slight southward shift” in its track “may bring the eye and eyewall region of the typhoon to the northern portion of Babuyan Islands,” PAGASA warned.

Also during that time, Goring may re-intensify and possibly “peak at near-super typhoon strength by the time it passes very close [to] or over Batanes.” But the weather bureau is not ruling out a return to super typhoon status for Goring.

Given the latest track and intensity forecast, Signal No. 3 has again been raised. Below are the areas under tropical cyclone wind signals as of 5 am on Tuesday.

Signal No. 3

Storm-force winds (89 to 117 km/h), moderate to significant threat to life and property

northeastern part of Babuyan Islands (Babuyan Island)

Signal No. 2

Gale-force winds (62 to 88 km/h), minor to moderate threat to life and property

Batanes

rest of Babuyan Islands

extreme northeastern part of mainland Cagayan (Santa Ana, Gonzaga)

Signal No. 1

Strong winds (39 to 61 km/h), minimal to minor threat to life and property

northern and eastern parts of mainland Cagayan (Camalaniugan, Pamplona, Santa Teresita, Baggao, Buguey, Claveria, Aparri, Ballesteros, Abulug, Sanchez Mira, Santa Praxedes, Allacapan, Lal-lo, Lasam, Peñablanca, Iguig, Amulung, Gattaran, Alcala, Santo Niño)

eastern part of Isabela (Dinapigue, San Mariano, Ilagan City, Tumauini, San Pablo, Cabagan, Maconacon, Divilacan, Palanan)

northern part of Apayao (Flora, Calanasan, Luna, Pudtol, Santa Marcela)

northern part of Ilocos Norte (Vintar, Pasuquin, Burgos, Dumalneg, Adams, Pagudpud, Bangui)

PAGASA warned that Signal No. 4 is the highest possible wind signal for extreme Northern Luzon.

Goring will also trigger more rain on Tuesday and Wednesday, with floods and landslides still expected.

Tuesday, August 29

100-200 millimeters (mm): northeastern part of Babuyan Islands

50-100 mm: Batanes, rest of Babuyan Islands, northern and eastern parts of mainland Cagayan, Ilocos Norte, northern part of Abra, northern part of Apayao

Wednesday, August 30

Greater than 200 mm: Batanes, Babuyan Islands

100-200 mm: northern part of Ilocos Norte, northwestern part of mainland Cagayan

50-100 mm: Apayao, Abra, northern part of Ilocos Sur, northeastern part of mainland Caga

yan, rest of Ilocos Norte