Severe Tropical Storm (STS) Uwan is continuing its north-northeastward trajectory and further weakening as it edges closer to a predicted landfall over the southwestern coast of Taiwan. Despite exiting the most severe phase of its onslaught over the weekend, the storm’s extensive reach means the Philippine state weather bureau, PAGASA, maintains a cautionary posture, keeping seven areas in Luzon under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1.
In its 11 p.m. bulletin on Tuesday, November 11, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) reported that Uwan’s center was estimated at 285 kilometers West of Itbayat, Batanes, outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR). The storm, which reached Super Typhoon category days prior, now packs maximum sustained winds of 95 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 115 km/h, moving at a pace of 15 km/h.
Forecast and Re-entry Alert
PAGASA forecasts that Uwan may re-enter the PAR by Wednesday afternoon, November 12, just before making landfall over Taiwan. Its journey will then see it emerging over the waters near the Ryukyu Islands by Thursday, with forecasters predicting it will ultimately degrade into a remnant low by Friday, November 14. This projected path signifies the final stages of the storm system.
TCWS No. 1 and Gusty Conditions
While the storm’s core strength has diminished, its vast circulation continues to pose a threat, prompting TCWS No. 1 over: Batanes, Babuyan Islands, and portions of Cagayan, Apayao, Abra, Kalinga, Ilocos Norte, and Ilocos Sur. These areas can expect strong winds of 39 to 61 km/h within 36 hours, potentially causing minimal to minor impacts.
Furthermore, Uwan is expected to bring occasionally gusty conditions reaching strong to gale-force strength over a wider area, particularly in exposed coastal and upland regions. These conditions are anticipated over the Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, Cagayan Valley, Bicol Region, Zambales, Bataan, Cavite, Quezon, and Aurora on Wednesday, November 12. Batanes and the Babuyan Islands will experience similar conditions through Thursday, November 13.
Tragic Toll of a Super Typhoon
The storm’s preceding rampage as a Super Typhoon has left a tragic mark on the Philippines. The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) has reported that the death toll has climbed to 25. The sheer scale of its impact is underscored by the number of people displaced, which the OCD estimates reached a staggering 1,188,764 as the storm was at its peak.
As Uwan makes its final pass near the northern limits of the Philippines, residents in the affected regions are urged to remain vigilant and heed official weather advisories for localized updates and safety measures.