NATIONAL
Advocates Philippines
Tropical Storm Crising Intensifies As It Nears Cagayan-Babuyan Area
Photo credit: DOST_Pagasa
As of 11:00 AM on July 18, 2025, Tropical Storm Crising (international name Wipha) has slightly intensified while continuing to move west northwestward towards mainland Cagayan and the Babuyan Islands. The storm remains a significant weather system, bringing strong winds, heavy rainfall, and hazardous sea conditions to much of Northern and Central Luzon, and parts of the Visayas and Mindanao affected by the enhanced Southwest Monsoon.
At 10:00 AM, the center of Crising was located approximately 195 kilometers east of Tuguegarao City, Cagayan, with maximum sustained winds of 75 kilometers per hour near the center, gusts of up to 90 kilometers per hour, and a central pressure of 994 hPa. The storm is moving at a steady pace of 25 kilometers per hour. Strong to gale-force winds extend up to 500 kilometers from its center.
Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2 remains in effect over Batanes, Cagayan including the Babuyan Islands, Isabela, Apayao, Kalinga, Ilocos Norte, the northern and central portions of Abra, parts of Mountain Province and Ifugao, and the northern part of Ilocos Sur. Under this signal, gale-force winds are expected within 24 hours, posing minor to moderate threats to life and property. Signal No. 1 is raised in surrounding provinces, where strong winds may cause minimal to minor impacts within the next 36 hours.
Crising is forecast to continue on its northwestward track, potentially making landfall over mainland Cagayan or the Babuyan Islands this afternoon or evening. The storm will then traverse extreme Northern Luzon before exiting the Philippine Area of Responsibility by tomorrow afternoon. It is expected to intensify further and may reach severe tropical storm category by tomorrow.
In addition to the direct effects of Crising, the enhanced Southwest Monsoon is bringing gusty conditions across a wide area, including Zambales, Bataan, Metro Manila, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, the Bicol Region, and parts of the Visayas and Mindanao. Heavy rainfall and localized flooding remain possible, particularly in areas identified as highly susceptible to such hazards. A separate weather advisory has been issued detailing rainfall forecasts.
Coastal areas face additional risks. A storm surge of one to two meters is possible within the next 24 hours along low-lying or exposed shorelines in Batanes, Cagayan including the Babuyan Islands, Isabela, Ilocos Norte, and Ilocos Sur. Sea travel is dangerous in many coastal waters in Luzon and Visayas due to rough to very rough seas, with waves reaching up to six meters in the seaboards of Batanes and the Babuyan Islands. Mariners are advised to remain in port or seek safe harbor until conditions improve.
Residents of areas under wind signals, particularly those in vulnerable or exposed locations, are urged to prepare and to heed evacuation or safety instructions from local authorities. Those in flood-prone and landslide-prone areas should be on alert for rising water and unstable slopes.
For localized weather updates, including rainfall warnings and thunderstorm advisories, the public is advised to closely monitor bulletins from PAGASA and its Regional Services Divisions. The next bulletin on Crising is scheduled for release at 2:00 PM today.
At 10:00 AM, the center of Crising was located approximately 195 kilometers east of Tuguegarao City, Cagayan, with maximum sustained winds of 75 kilometers per hour near the center, gusts of up to 90 kilometers per hour, and a central pressure of 994 hPa. The storm is moving at a steady pace of 25 kilometers per hour. Strong to gale-force winds extend up to 500 kilometers from its center.
Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2 remains in effect over Batanes, Cagayan including the Babuyan Islands, Isabela, Apayao, Kalinga, Ilocos Norte, the northern and central portions of Abra, parts of Mountain Province and Ifugao, and the northern part of Ilocos Sur. Under this signal, gale-force winds are expected within 24 hours, posing minor to moderate threats to life and property. Signal No. 1 is raised in surrounding provinces, where strong winds may cause minimal to minor impacts within the next 36 hours.
Crising is forecast to continue on its northwestward track, potentially making landfall over mainland Cagayan or the Babuyan Islands this afternoon or evening. The storm will then traverse extreme Northern Luzon before exiting the Philippine Area of Responsibility by tomorrow afternoon. It is expected to intensify further and may reach severe tropical storm category by tomorrow.
In addition to the direct effects of Crising, the enhanced Southwest Monsoon is bringing gusty conditions across a wide area, including Zambales, Bataan, Metro Manila, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, the Bicol Region, and parts of the Visayas and Mindanao. Heavy rainfall and localized flooding remain possible, particularly in areas identified as highly susceptible to such hazards. A separate weather advisory has been issued detailing rainfall forecasts.
Coastal areas face additional risks. A storm surge of one to two meters is possible within the next 24 hours along low-lying or exposed shorelines in Batanes, Cagayan including the Babuyan Islands, Isabela, Ilocos Norte, and Ilocos Sur. Sea travel is dangerous in many coastal waters in Luzon and Visayas due to rough to very rough seas, with waves reaching up to six meters in the seaboards of Batanes and the Babuyan Islands. Mariners are advised to remain in port or seek safe harbor until conditions improve.
Residents of areas under wind signals, particularly those in vulnerable or exposed locations, are urged to prepare and to heed evacuation or safety instructions from local authorities. Those in flood-prone and landslide-prone areas should be on alert for rising water and unstable slopes.
For localized weather updates, including rainfall warnings and thunderstorm advisories, the public is advised to closely monitor bulletins from PAGASA and its Regional Services Divisions. The next bulletin on Crising is scheduled for release at 2:00 PM today.
Jul 18, 2025
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