Batanes: The low pressure area east of Taiwan has intensified into a tropical depression, now named Salome, as announced by the weather bureau in a bulletin released at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday. The tropical depression was last located 255 kilometers north northeast of Itbayat, Batanes, moving south southwestward at a speed of 15 kilometers per hour.

According to Philippines News Agency, Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 has been raised in Batanes, as well as the western portion of the Babuyan Islands, including Calayan Island and Dalupiri Island, and the northwestern portion of Ilocos Norte, covering areas such as Bangui, Pagudpud, Burgos, Pasuquin, Bacarra, and Laoag City. These regions can expect strong winds as Salome packs maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour near the center, with gustiness reaching up to 70 kilometers per hour.

Heavy rainfall is also anticipated in Batanes, as stated by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA). Additionally, a gale warning is in effect over the seaboard of extreme Northern Luzon, with forecasts of very rough seas around Batanes, making sea travel hazardous for all vessels.

PAGASA forecasts that Salome will proceed southwestward and is expected to pass close to or make landfall over Batanes either on Wednesday night or Thursday. The tropical depression might also pass close to or over the Babuyan Islands and Ilocos Norte on Thursday. While there is potential for Salome to intensify into a tropical storm, PAGASA anticipates it will weaken into a remnant low by Friday.