The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) forecast that Severe Tropical Storm Siony will make landfall or close approach in the vicinity of Batanes within the next 6 hours as it continues to move west-northwestward.
Likewise, it is forecast to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) this afternoon or in the evening then turn southwestward on Saturday morning over the sea to the west of southern Taiwan and move over the West Philippine Sea towards the Paracel Islands area.
Siony is also likely to reach its peak intensity (around 110 km/h) within the next 36 hours but there’s a possibility that it will reach typhoon category during the same period.
Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2 is raised in Batanes and Babuyan Islands while Signal No. 1 is raised in the northern portion of mainland Cagayan (Santa Ana, Gonzaga, Lal-Lo, Allacapan, Santa Teresita, Buguey, Camalaniugan, Aparri, Ballesteros, Abulug, Pamplona, Sanchez-Mira, Claveria, Santa Praxedes), the northern portion of Apayao (Santa Marcela, Luna, Calanasan), and the northern portion of Ilocos Norte (Adams, Pagudpud, Bangui, Dumalneg, Burgos, Vintar, Pasuquin, Bacarra).
At 10:00pm of Thursday, the center of Severe Tropical Storm Siony was estimated at 170 km East of Basco, Batanes moving West Northwestward at 20 km/h and with maximum sustained winds of 100 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 125 km/h.
Meanwhile, the Low Pressure Area outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) was estimated at 1,600 km East of Visayas.
It is forecast to move generally west-northwestward or northwestward and may enter the PAR within the day and it’s heading towards the direction of Eastern Visayas and may likely reach the area on Saturday afternoon or evening. This weather disturbance may develop into Tropical Depression Tonyo within the next 48 to 72 hours.