Photo credit: DOST_Pagasa

Tropical Storm Dante (international name: Francisco) is holding its strength as it nears the edge of the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), steadily making its way toward the Ryukyu Islands. As of 10:00 AM today, its center was located approximately 735 kilometers east northeast of Itbayat, Batanes. With maximum sustained winds of 75 km/h and gusts reaching up to 90 km/h, Dante is moving north northwestward at a pace of 30 km/h.

While no tropical cyclone wind signals (TCWS) are currently in effect due to Dante, its wide reach is still contributing to potentially dangerous conditions. The storm’s wind field spans up to 550 kilometers from its center, helping to enhance the Southwest Monsoon across large parts of the country.

This enhanced monsoon is producing strong to gale-force gusts across many regions today, including Central Luzon, Metro Manila, CALABARZON, the Bicol Region, MIMAROPA, and parts of the Visayas and Mindanao. These gusty conditions are expected to persist into tomorrow and continue through Saturday, affecting areas such as the Ilocos Region, Isabela, and Batanes.

Sea conditions remain treacherous, especially along the western and northern seaboards of Luzon. Waves could reach up to 14 meters off Ilocos Sur and La Union, while seas off Pangasinan and Zambales may rise to 11 and 8 meters respectively. Mariners, particularly those aboard small vessels and motorbancas, are advised to remain in port and heed all local advisories until conditions improve.

Dante is forecast to exit the PAR later today or this evening. It will likely remain a tropical storm over the East China Sea but is expected to weaken by the weekend due to less favorable environmental conditions.

Meanwhile, Typhoon Emong (international name: Co-may) is intensifying as it slowly moves south southeastward over the West Philippine Sea. As of 10:00 AM, it was located roughly 210 kilometers west of Dagupan City, Pangasinan, with sustained winds of 120 km/h and gusts of up to 150 km/h. The typhoon’s wind field stretches up to 150 kilometers from the center.

Typhoon Emong has prompted the issuance of Wind Signal No. 3 over parts of Pangasinan, La Union, and Ilocos Sur. This indicates a storm-force wind threat with moderate to significant potential impacts. Wind Signal No. 2 and No. 1 are also in effect over several other northern and central Luzon provinces, including Cagayan, Nueva Vizcaya, Zambales, and the Cordillera region.

Emong is expected to continue on a slow track today but will begin to accelerate northeastward by tonight. A landfall over La Union or Ilocos Sur is likely tomorrow morning, with a possible close approach to northwestern Pangasinan prior to that. After passing over northwestern Luzon, the typhoon may track near or over the Babuyan Islands and Batanes.

There is a risk of storm surge of up to 2 meters in coastal areas of Batanes, Cagayan (including Babuyan Islands), Ilocos provinces, La Union, Pangasinan, and Zambales within the next 36 hours.

Both storms—Dante near the fringes of the Philippine boundary and Emong drawing closer to Luzon—continue to influence weather across the country. The public and local authorities are strongly advised to remain vigilant and monitor updates from PAGASA and local disaster management offices. Preparedness remains key, especially in areas prone to flooding, landslides, and coastal hazards.