Uwan reenters PAR, moves toward southern Taiwan

By Ma. Teresa Montemayor, Philippine News Agency

A gale warning has been raised over the seaboard of Extreme Northern Luzon, with sea conditions reaching very rough levels. (DOST-PAGASA/facebook)

MANILA – Tropical Storm Uwan has re-entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) as it heads for southern Taiwan, the weather bureau said Wednesday.

In its 5 p.m. bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said the center of Uwan was located 210 km. northwest of Itbayat, Batanes, packing maximum sustained winds of 75 kph near the center, and gustiness of up to 90 kph. It was moving east-northeast at 10 kph.

Strong to gale-force winds extend outward up to 300 km. from the center.

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1 remains hoisted over Batanes, where strong winds with minimal to minor impacts on life and property are expected within the next 36 hours.

PAGASA warned that local winds may be stronger in coastal and upland areas exposed to the prevailing direction. Areas outside wind signals may still experience occasionally gusty conditions, particularly in Batanes, the Babuyan Islands, and Ilocos Norte on Wednesday, and in Batanes and the Babuyan Islands on Thursday.

A gale warning has been raised over the seaboard of Extreme Northern Luzon, with sea conditions reaching very rough levels.

Seas may reach up to 4.5 meters along the western seaboard of Batanes, making sea travel risky for all vessels.

Rough seas, with waves of up to 4 meters, are expected along the northern seaboard of the Babuyan Islands and the remaining seaboard of Batanes, while up to 3.5-meter waves may prevail along the coasts of Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur.

Moderate to rough conditions are also expected over the seaboards of northern Luzon and portions of Palawan and Mindoro.

Uwan is forecast to continue moving northeast, making landfall over southern Taiwan Wednesday evening before emerging over the eastern coastal waters of Taiwan and heading toward the Ryukyu Islands by Thursday.

It will gradually weaken due to unfavorable conditions and land interaction, eventually dissipating into a remnant low, PAGASA said.