Manila: Typhoon Uwan has rapidly intensified over the Philippine Sea east of Eastern Visayas, the weather bureau said Saturday. In its latest bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) reported that the center of Typhoon Uwan is situated approximately 680 kilometers east of Borongan, Eastern Visayas or 760 kilometers east of Catarman, Northern Samar. The typhoon is advancing westward at a speed of 35 kilometers per hour, with maximum sustained winds reaching 140 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 170 kilometers per hour.
According to Philippines News Agency, Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2 has been issued for several areas, including Catanduanes; the eastern portion of Camarines Sur; Albay; Sorsogon; and Ticao Islands. In the Visayas region, Signal No. 2 is also in effect for Northern Samar, portions of Samar, and Eastern Samar. Meanwhile, Signal No. 1 covers a wider range of areas, including parts of Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, as Uwan continues its advance towards the archipelago.
PAGASA forecasts that Uwan will move west-northwestward on Saturday and Sunday before shifting more towards the northwest on Monday. The projected path suggests that Uwan’s center may pass close to Catanduanes on Sunday morning, potentially making landfall over southern Isabela or northern Aurora by Sunday evening or early Monday morning. There is also an increasing possibility of a slight southward deviation, which could lead to a direct hit on Catanduanes or a landfall scenario.
Following landfall, Uwan is expected to traverse the mountainous regions of Northern Luzon and may emerge over Lingayen Gulf or the coastal waters of Pangasinan or La Union by Monday morning or afternoon. PAGASA anticipates that Uwan will rapidly intensify, potentially reaching super typhoon status by Saturday evening or Sunday morning. However, interaction with the terrain is likely to weaken Uwan, though it is expected to maintain typhoon strength as it moves across Northern Luzon and the West Philippine Sea.
