Severe Tropical Storm MARCE (YINXING) StormWatch No. 02

Tropical Depression 24W entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) early this morning and has rapidly intensified while moving swiftly across the Philippine Sea. It has developed into a fully-fledged Severe Tropical Storm, locally named “MARCE” and globally referred to as “YINXING,” which is the name of a type of Chinese tree.   

This system is forecast to pose a threat to Extreme Northern Luzon, particularly the Northern Cagayan, Ilocos Norte, and Babuyan Islands areas, this weekend (November 8).

• Location of Center: Over the middle portion of the Central Philippine Sea, east of Bicol Region  (near 13.6°N 130.8°E)
• Distance 1:  820 km east of Naga City, Camarines Sur
• Distance 2:  985 km east-southeast of Casiguran, Aurora 
• Distance 3: 1,055 km east of Metro Manila

• STS MARCE is forecast to rapidly become a Category 1 to 2 Typhoon late tonight through tomorrow afternoon. 
• This cyclone is an average-sized system, spanning around 680 km in diameter.
• The Day 4-5 Forecasts shows MARCE making a sharp westerly track across the coastal waters of Northern Cagayan on Friday (Nov 8), with a High Strike Probability of 70-80%.
• This StormWatch will be replaced by a 12-hour Tropical Cyclone Advisory once the system is within 3-days before it makes a passage or landfall in the Philippines.

Information based on data collected by Typhoon2000 (T2k) shall not be taken as official data. Weather information broadcasted and distributed by PAGASA remains as official data. Typhoon2000 (T2k) shall not be responsible for the private use and reliance of its weather information.