Severe Tropical Storm FLORITA (MA-ON) Advisory No. 06

24-hr Outlook: STS FLORITA (MA-ON) is forecast to weaken slightly and will continue traversing Extreme Northern Luzon, passing over Apayao this afternoon, and will be along the northern portion of Ilocos Norte early this evening, or about 13 km west of Pagudpud at 8PM. By early tomorrow morning, FLORITA will weaken slightly while emerging over the West Philippine Sea. It will eventually leave the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) by mid-morning tomorrow.

Meanwhile, its trough or extension together with the enhanced Southwest Monsoon (Habagat) will continue to bring scattered to occasional rains with severe thunderstorms across the Whole of Luzon including Metropolitan Manila, MiMaRoPa, & Western Visayas today. Risk of flooding and landslides will be Medium to High.

• Location of Center/Eye: In the vicinity of Maconancon, Isabela (near 17.5°N 122.1°E)
• Distance 1: 41 km east-southeast of Tuguegarao City, Cagayan
• Distance 2: 107 km south-southeast of Aparri, Cagayan
• Distance 3: 177 km east-southeast of Laoag City, Ilocos Norte

• None…cyclone now over land.

• Northern Luzon – between 2PM today to 2PM tomorrow, Wednesday (Aug 24).

Damaging Winds (gusts of more than 100 km/hr expected):

• Cagayan, Apayao, & Ilocos Norte – Today until Early Wednesday morning.

• Coastal & Beachfront Areas of Extreme Northern Luzon.

+Waves of 1 to 3 meters in height are expected in storm surge-prone areas, particularly in coastal areas where the Tropical Cyclone is headed. Kindly visit the PAGASA Storm Surge Updates  for more details.

• WEDNESDAY MORNING: Exits the northwestern border of the PAR…re-intensifies back to near-Typhoon strength while accelerating WNW…about 257 km WNW of Laoag City, Ilocos Norte [8AM Aug 24: 19.2°N 118.4°E @ 110 kph].  Forecast Confidence: MEDIUM
• THURSDAY MORNING: Prepares to make landfall over Guangdong Province (Southern China), attains Typhoon classification…about 144 km SW of Hong Kong, China [8AM Aug 25: 20.7°N 115.0°E @ 130 kph].    Forecast Confidence: MEDIUM
• FRIDAY MORNING: Moving across Northern Vietnam as downgraded Tropical Storm (TS)…about 823 km West of Hong Kong, China [8AM Aug 26: 22.6°N 106.1°E @ 65 kph].  Forecast Confidence: LOW

**Important Note: Please be reminded that the Forecast Outlook changes every 6 hours, and the Day 2 and 3 Forecast Track have an average error of 100 and 250 km respectively… while the wind speed forecast error, averages 35 km/hr per day. Therefore, a turn to the left or right of its future track and changes in its wind speed must be anticipated from time to time.

• 24-hr. Rain Accumulation (across its circulation): 25 to 350 mm [Light to Extreme]
• Minimum Central Pressure: 985 millibars (hPa)
• Size of Rain Circulation (in Diameter): Small (495 km)
• Size of Wind Circulation (55-kph Wind Diameter): Average (550 km)
• Area of Damaging Winds (100 kph or more wind gusts): 100 km outward from the center