PAGASA issues Wind Signal 1 for 12 northern Luzon provinces

Tropical Depression Kiyapo prompted Philippine weather authorities to raise initial storm warnings over a dozen northern provinces on Thursday, July 23, as the system moved toward the main island of Luzon. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) placed Batanes, Cagayan, Isabela, Apayao, Abra, Kalinga, portions of Mountain Province and Ifugao, Ilocos Norte, northern Ilocos Sur, and northern Aurora under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1, indicating the potential for minimal to minor impacts from strong winds.

In its 5 a.m. bulletin, PAGASA reported the storm was located approximately 950 kilometers east of Central Luzon, packing maximum sustained winds of 45 kilometers per hour near its center with gusts of up to 55 kph. The depression was moving west-northwestward at 20 kph. Forecasters expect Kiyapo to gradually intensify over the Philippine Sea, potentially reaching tropical storm strength by Friday, July 24. The agency stated the highest wind signal likely to be raised during its passage is Signal No. 2, but did not rule out the possibility of Signal No. 3 if Kiyapo intensifies into a severe tropical storm while traversing...