Typhoon Emong has intensified, prompting its reclassification into the typhoon category.
The system continues moving towards Northern Luzon, with a second landfall expected this morning in either Ilocos Sur or La Union.
After its landfall, Emong is projected to cross the mountainous terrain of Northern Luzon and exit via Babuyan Channel before noon. The storm will then move northeastward, nearing Babuyan Islands by midday or afternoon.
It is also forecasted to approach Batanes later this afternoon or evening. As of the latest report, the eye of Typhoon Emong was located in the coastal waters off Bangar, La Union.
Maximum sustained winds near the center have reached 120 km/h, with gusts peaking at 165 km/h. Emong is currently moving northeastward at a speed of 20 km/h.
Due to its intensification and proximity, Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 4 is now hoisted over the southwestern portion of Ilocos Sur and the northern and central portions of La Union.
Under TCWS No. 4, residents can expect violent winds and potentially severe damage to high-risk structures.
TCWS No. 3 is in effect for southern Ilocos Norte, remaining parts of Ilocos Sur, La Union, and western portions of Apayao, Abra, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Benguet, and northern Pangasinan.
Lower signals affect areas in Ilocos Norte, Pangasinan, Zambales, Apayao, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Benguet, Ifugao, Batanes, Cagayan including Babuyan Islands, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, Nueva Ecija, and Tarlac.
Other affected regions include Quirino, Aurora, Pampanga, and Bataan, with varying intensity depending on proximity.
Emong is expected to weaken as it traverses the mountainous regions before exiting the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) by Saturday or Sunday.
Meanwhile, the southwest monsoon continues to bring heavy rainfall across parts of the country.
Authorities are also monitoring another tropical cyclone outside PAR, located 2,220 km east of Central Luzon, while tropical storm Dante has exited PAR.