PAGASA hoists Signal 3 over Cagayan, Isabela as 'Quiel' hurtles toward NLuzon

As a stronger Typhoon Quiel hurtles toward northern Luzon, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration placed Cagayan and Isabela Storm Signal No. 3. "Quiel" which was estimated to at 350 km in diameter Thursday has since expanded to 500 km diameter, and may bring 15 to 25 mm of rain per hour, PAGASA said. The forecaster said in its 5 p.m. report that Quiel was moving westward at 26 kph, packing sustained winds of 140 kph near the center and up to 170 kph gusty winds. As of 4 p.m., "Quiel" was estimated at 490 km east of Tuguegarao City and would likely make landfall early Saturday in the Cagayan-Isabela area, PAGASA said. By Saturday afternoon, the typhoon is expected at 40 km east of Laoag City or 90 km northwest of Tuguegarao City. It will be 570 kms west of Laoag City by Sunday afternoon. In its latest report PAGASA enumerate the places and the respective storm alert level as follows: Storm Signal No. 3 (101 km-185 km winds)

• Cagayan
• Isabela

Storm Signal No. 2 (61 km-100 km winds)

• Northern Aurora
• Quirino
• Ifugao
• Mountain Province
• Kalinga
• Apayao
• Calayan Islands
• Babuyan Islands

Storm Signal No. 1 (45 km-60 km winds)

• rest of Aurora
• Nueva Vizcaya
• Pangasinan
• Benguet
• La Union
• Ilocos Norte
• Ilocos Sur
• Abra

PAGASA said "Quiel" is not likely to enhance the southwest monsoon until it crosses Northern Luzon. It said "Quiel" may exit Northern Luzon Saturday afternoon. Once "Quiel" enhances the southwest monsoon, it will bring scattered to widespread rains over Southern Luzon and Western Visayas, the weather forecaster added. — VS, GMA News