SEVENTEEN areas were placed under wind Signal No. 1 after a low-pressure area east of Quezon developed into tropical depression Mirasol yesterday afternoon.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said Mirasol is forecast to make landfall in Isabela or the northern portion of Aurora this morning.
The areas placed under Signal No. 1 were Batanes, Cagayan, including Babuyan Islands, Isabela, Quirino, the northeastern portion of Nueva Vizcaya, northern and central portions of Aurora, Apayao, Kalinga, Abra, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Ilocos Norte, Polillo Islands, northern portion of Camarines Norte, northeastern portion of Camarines Sur, and Catanduanes.
The potential impacts of winds to life and property in these areas are “minimal to minor,” PAGASA said.
Mirasol is expected to bring rains to Cagayan, Isabela, Quirino, Aurora, Batanes, Apayao and Ilocos Norte, Pagasa added.
As of 4 p.m. yesterday, the weather bureau said Mirasol was some 210 km east northeast of Infanta, Quezon.
It is packing maximum sustained winds of 55 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 70 kph.
Mirasol is moving northwestward at 25 kph, added Pagasa.
“On the forecast track, the center of Mirasol may make landfall in Isabela or the northern portion of Aurora by tomorrow (today) morning,” Pagasa said in a bulletin issued at 8 p.m.
“However, a more north-northwestward or northward movement will likely result in no landfall scenario and will just move over the coastal waters of Northern and Central Luzon,” added Pagasa.
It said Mirasol will slightly weaken as it traverses the landmass of Northern Luzon.
Mirasol is forecast to intensify into a tropical storm, while in the West Philippine Sea, on Thursday morning before exiting the Philippine Area of Responsibility in the afternoon or evening.
