TROPICAL Storm “Marce” is showing slight intensification as it continues to move west-northwestward across the Philippine Sea, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).
As of Monday (Novermber 4, 2024), the storm is situated approximately 775 kilometers east of Borongan City, Eastern Samar, moving at 35 kilometers per hour.
It currently has maximum sustained winds of 75 kph near its center and gustiness reaching up to 90 kph.
Pagasa anticipates issuing Signal No. 1 in Cagayan by Tuesday (November 5, 2024) due to the storm’s path and intensifying strength.
Forecasts suggest that “Marce” may make landfall over the Babuyan Islands or northern Cagayan by Thursday night or early Friday morning, although a shift in the high-pressure area’s strength north of the storm could alter the storm’s path to potentially affect Cagayan-Isabela instead.
Pagasa administrator Nathaniel Servando noted that “Marce” is likely to intensify into a severe tropical storm by Tuesday and possibly reach typhoon category by late Tuesday or early Wednesday.
Chris Perez, Pagasa’s senior weather specialist, added that Metro Manila will likely experience light to moderate rainfall extending through the weekend due to Marce’s trough, with the potential for localized thunderstorms bringing moderate to heavy rain as well.