24/09/2025
TROPICAL CYCLONE BULLETIN NR. 5
Severe Tropical Storm (BUALOI)
Issued at 5:00 PM, 24 September 2025
Valid for broadcast until the next bulletin at 11:00 PM today.
“OPONG” INTENSIFIES INTO A SEVERE TROPICAL STORM OVER THE PHILIPPINE SEA.
Location of Center (4:00 PM): The center of Severe Tropical Storm OPONG was estimated based on all available data at 670 km East of Surigao City, Surigao del Norte (10.0°N, 131.6°E).
Intensity: Maximum sustained winds of 95 km/h near the center, gustiness of up to 115 km/h, and central pressure of 990 hPa
Present Movement: West northwestward at 20 km/h
Extent of Tropical Cyclone Winds: Strong to storm-force winds extend outwards up to 450 km from the center
TROPICAL CYCLONE WIND SIGNALS (TCWS) IN EFFECT
TCWS No. 2
Wind threat: Gale-force winds
Visayas
Northern Samar and the northern portion of Eastern Samar (San Policarpo, Oras, Jipapad, Arteche) -
Warning lead time: 24 hours
Range of wind speeds: 62 to 88 km/h (Beaufort 8 to 9)
Potential impacts of winds: Minor to moderate threat to life and property
TCWS No. 1
Wind threat: Strong winds
Luzon
Catanduanes, Camarines Sur, Albay, Sorsogon, and Masbate
Visayas
Samar, the rest of Eastern Samar, Biliran, and the northern portion of Leyte (Barugo, San Miguel, Babatngon, Tacloban City, Calubian, Leyte, Capoocan, Carigara, Palo)
Warning lead time: 36 hours
Range of wind speeds: 39 to 61 km/h (Beaufort 6 to 7)
Potential impacts of winds: Minimal to minor threat to life and property
OTHER HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND AREAS
Heavy Rainfall Outlook
Refer to Weather Advisory No. 21 issued at 5:00 PM today for the heavy rainfall outlook due to Tropical Cyclone OPONG and the Southwest Monsoon. Link: tinyurl.com/wxadvisory
Severe Winds
The wind signals warn the public of the general wind threat over an area due to the tropical cyclone. Local winds may be slightly stronger/enhanced in coastal and upland/mountainous areas exposed to winds. Winds are less strong in areas sheltered from the prevailing wind direction.
• Minor to moderate impacts from gale-force winds are possible within any of the areas under Wind Signal No. 2.
• Minimal to minor impacts from strong winds are possible within any of the areas under Wind Signal No. 1.
The highest Wind Signal that may be hoisted throughout the passage of OPONG is Wind Signal No. 4.
The Southwest Monsoon, both enhanced by NANDO and OPONG, will bring strong to gale-force gusts over the following areas (especially in coastal and upland areas exposed to winds):
• Today: Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, Batanes, Cagayan including Babuyan Islands, Isabela, Zambales, Bataan, Tarlac, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, Bulacan, Metro Manila, Cavite, Batangas, Quezon, MIMAROPA, Western Visayas, Negros Island Region, Zamboanga del Norte, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, Camiguin, Agusan del Norte, Surigao del Norte, Dinagat Islands, Sarangani, Davao del Sur, and Davao Oriental.
• Tomorrow (25 September): Ilocos Region, Batanes, Cagayan including Babuyan Islands, Isabela, Zambales, Bataan, Zamboanga del Norte, and most of MIMAROPA, Visayas, Northern Mindanao, Caraga, and Davao Region
• Friday (26 September): Batanes, Cagayan including Babuyan Islands, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Zamboanga del Norte, and most of MIMAROPA, Visayas, Northern Mindanao, Caraga, and Davao Region.
HAZARDS AFFECTING COASTAL WATERS
Gale Warning will likely be issued tomorrow (25 September).
24-Hour Sea Condition Outlook
Up to moderate to rough seas over the following coastal waters:
• Up to 3.0 m: The eastern seaboards of Northern Samar and Dinagat Islands; the northern and eastern seaboards of Eastern Samar.
• Up to 2.5 m: The eastern seaboards of Catanduanes and Davao Oriental; the northern seaboard of Northern Samar.
• Mariners of motorbancas and similarly-sized vessels are advised to take precautionary measures while venturing out to sea and, if possible, avoid navigation under these conditions.
Coastal Inundation
There is a moderate to high risk of life-threatening storm surge with peak heights reaching 1.0 to 3.0 m within 24 hours over the low-lying or exposed coastal localities of Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Albay, Sorsogon, Masbate, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Samar, and Biliran. Refer to Storm Surge Warning No. 1 issued at 2:00 PM today for the details.
TRACK AND INTENSITY OUTLOOK
• It must be emphasized that heavy rainfall, severe winds, and storm surge may still be experienced in localities outside the landfall point and the forecast confidence cone. Refer to the hoisted Wind Signals (for direct wind threat of the tropical cyclone) and “Other Hazards affecting Land Areas” for more details. Furthermore, the track may still shift more to the north or to the south but within the limit of the forecast confidence cone.
• OPONG is forecast to begin moving west northwestward while approaching Eastern Visayas – Southern Luzon area. On the forecast track, OPONG may make landfall over Bicol Region by Friday (26 September) morning or afternoon and cross Southern Luzon throughout Friday. Afterwards, it will continue moving generally west northwestward over the West Philippine Sea and exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Saturday (27 September).
• OPONG will continue to intensify while over the Philippine Sea and may reach typhoon category before making landfall over Bicol Region. It will then weaken as it crosses the archipelago, although it will likely remain as a typhoon or severe tropical storm during the passage. Re-intensification is highly likely once OPONG emerges over the West Philippine Sea.
Considering these developments, the public and disaster risk reduction and management offices concerned are advised to take all necessary measures to protect life and property. Persons living in areas identified to be highly or very highly susceptible to these hazards are advised to follow evacuation and other instructions from local officials. For heavy rainfall warnings, thunderstorm/rainfall advisories, and other severe weather information specific to your area, please monitor products issued by your local PAGASA Regional Services Division.
The next tropical cyclone bulletin will be issued at 11:00 PM today.
DOST-PAGASA
