25/09/2025
TROPICAL CYCLONE BULLETIN NR. 9
Severe Tropical Storm (BUALOI)
Issued at 11:00 AM, 25 September 2025
Valid for broadcast until the next bulletin at 2:00 PM today.
OPONG MAINTAINS ITS STRENGTH OVER THE PHILIPPINE SEA EAST OF EASTERN VISAYAS.
Location of Center (10:00 AM)
The center of Severe Tropical Storm OPONG was estimated based on all available data at 335 km East of Guiuan, Eastern Samar (11.1°N, 128.8°E).
Intensity
Maximum sustained winds of 110 km/h near the center, gustiness of up to 135 km/h, and central pressure of 980 hPa
Present Movement
West northwestward at 25 km/h
Extent of Tropical Cyclone Winds
Strong to storm-force winds extend outwards up to 430 km
from the center
TROPICAL CYCLONE WIND SIGNALS (TCWS) IN EFFECT
TCWS No. 2
Wind threat: Gale-force winds
Luzon:
Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur,Catanduanes, Albay, Sorsogon, and the northern portion of Masbate(Aroroy, Baleno, City of Masbate, Mobo,Uson, Dimasalang, Palanas, Cataingan,Pio V. Corpuz) including Ticao and Burias Islands
Visayas:
Northern Samar, the northern and central portions of Eastern Samar (Can-Avid, Maslog, San Policarpo, Taft, Dolores, Jipapad, Oras, Arteche, Sulat, San Julian), the northern and central portions of Samar (San Jorge, San Sebastian, Villareal, Zumarraga, Matuguinao, Pinabacdao, Almagro, Calbayog City, Talalora, Jiabong, Pagsanghan, City of Catbalogan, Gandara, Motiong, Santo Niño, Tagapul-An, San Jose de Buan, Santa Margarita, Tarangnan, Calbiga, Daram, Paranas, Hinabangan), and the northern portion of Biliran (Almeria, Kawayan, Maripipi, Culaba)
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
The central and southern portions of Isabela (Alicia, San Mateo, Aurora, Ramon, Naguilian, Dinapigue, San Guillermo, Luna, City of Cauayan,Echague, Angadanan, Benito Soliven, City of Santiago, Reina Mercedes, San Agustin, San Manuel, Cabatuan, Gamu, San Isidro, Cordon, Jones, Burgos, San Mariano, Palanan), Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Ifugao, the southwestern portion of Mountain Province (Bauko, Sabangan, Tadian), Benguet, the southern portion of Ilocos Sur (Sugpon, Alilem), La Union, Pangasinan, Aurora, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Zambales, Bataan, Pampanga, Bulacan, Metro Manila, Rizal, Cavite, Batangas, Laguna, Quezon, Romblon, Marinduque, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Calamian Islands, and the rest of Masbate
Visayas
The rest of Eastern Samar, the rest of Samar, the rest of Biliran, Leyte, Southern Leyte, thenorthern portion of Cebu (Daanbantayan, Medellin, City of Bogo, Tabogon, San Remigio, Borbon, Sogod, Tabuelan, Catmon, Tuburan, Carmen, Danao City, Asturias, Compostela) including Camotes and Bantayan Islands, the northern portion of Negros Occidental (City of Escalante, Toboso, Calatrava, Sagay City, Cadiz City, Manapla, City of Victorias, Enrique B. Magalona, Silay City, City of Talisay), the northern portion of Iloilo (San Dionisio, Batad, Balasan, Carles, Sara, Concepcion, Ajuy, Lemery, Barotac Viejo, San Rafael, Banate, Anilao, San Enrique, City of Passi, Bingawan, Calinog, Lambunao, Dueñas, Di**le), Capiz, Aklan, and the northern portion of Antique (Libertad, Pandan, Sebaste, Culasi, Tibiao, Barbaza, Bugasong, Laua-An, Caluya)
Mindanao
Siargao Island, Bucas Grande Islands, and Dinagat Islands
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. 24 issued at 11:00 AM today for the heavy rainfall outlook due to Tropical Cyclone OPONG and the Southwest Monsoon.
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, Batanes, Cagayan including Babuyan Islands, Isabela, Zambales, Bataan, Palawan, Visayas (areas not under Wind Signal), Zamboanga del Norte, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, Camiguin, Caraga (areas not under Wind Signal), Davao del Sur, and Davao Oriental.
• Tomorrow (26 September): Batanes, Cagayan including Babuyan Islands, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Zamboanga del Norte, Palawan, Visayas (areas not under Wind Signal), Northern Mindanao, Caraga, Davao del Sur, and Davao Oriental.
• Saturday (27 September): Batanes, Cagayan including Babuyan Islands, Apayao, Abra, Kalinga, and Ilocos Region.
HAZARDS AFFECTING COASTAL WATERS
A Gale Warning is in effect over the eastern seaboard of Southern Luzon and Visayas. Refer to Gale Warning No. 1 issued at 8:00 AM today.
24-Hour Sea Condition Outlook
Up to very rough, high, or very high over the following coastal waters:
• Up to 11.0 m: The seaboards of Catanduanes; the eastern seaboards of Albay and Sorsogon; the northern and eastern seaboards of Northern Samar and Eastern Samar.
• Up to 6.0 m: The northern and eastern seaboards of Camarines Norte and Camarines Sur.
• Up to 5.0 m: The seaboards of Quezon, Marinduque, and Romblon; the remaining seaboards of Bicol Region, Northern Samar, and Eastern Samar.
• Sea travel is risky for all types or tonnage of vessels. All mariners must remain in port or, if underway, seek shelter or safe harbor as soon as possible until winds and waves subside.
Up to rough seas over the following coastal waters:
• Up to 4.0 m: The seaboards of Isabela, Aurora, Batangas, Oriental Mindoro, Samar, and Biliran; the northern seaboard of Leyte; the northern seaboards of Occidental Mindoro; the eastern seaboard of Dinagat Islands.
• Up to 3.5 m: The eastern seaboards of Cagayan including Babuyan Islands; the northern seaboards of Aklan and Capiz; the remaining seaboards Dinagat Islands.
• Mariners of small seacrafts, including all types of motorbancas, are advised not to venture out to sea under these conditions, especially if inexperienced of operating ill-equipped vessels.
Up to moderate seas over the following coastal waters:
• Up to 2.5 m: The seaboards of Batanes, Babuyan Islands, and Palawan; the remaining seaboards of Occidental Mindoro and Visayas.
• 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 36 hours over the low-lying or exposed coastal localities of Metro Manila, Central Luzon, CALABARZON, Occidental Mindoro including Lubang Island, Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Bicol Region, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Samar, Biliran and Leyte. Refer to Storm Surge Warning No. 4 issued at 8:00 AM 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 will continue moving west northwestward while approaching Eastern Visayas – Southern Luzon area. On the forecast track, it may pass close to Northern Samar or may make landfall over Bicol Region by tomorrow (26 September) morning or early afternoon and cross Southern Luzon throughout Friday. Afterwards, OPONG will emerge over the West Philippine Sea and exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Saturday (27 September) afternoon or evening.
• OPONG will continue to intensify while over the Philippine Sea and may reach typhoon category before making landfall over Bicol Region. However, due to marginally favorable environment, there is a possibility that OPONG may remain a severe tropical storm pre-landfall. Nevertheless, it is expected to weaken as it crosses the archipelago. 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 2:00 PM today.
DOST-PAGASA
