The new storm, locally named Marce (internationally known as Yinxing), is the 13th storm to hit the Philippines in 2024 and the first in November.
According to the latest bulletin of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), as of 11:00 a.m. on November 4 (local time), the center of the storm was located at approximately 12.4 degrees North latitude - 132.5 degrees East longitude, 775 km east of Borongan City, Eastern Samar.
The storm is moving west-northwest at 35 km/h. The strongest wind in the storm's center remains at 75 km/h, with gusts up to 90 km/h.
PAGASA said Typhoon Marce could strengthen into a strong tropical storm in the morning or afternoon of November 5 and into a typhoon in the evening of November 5 or early morning of November 6.
While Marce is still far from the Philippine mainland, the trough or extension of the storm may bring showers or localized thunderstorms over Eastern Visayas, Bicol, most of Cagayan Valley, Aurora and Quezon from today (November 4). Thunderstorms are forecast to be very severe.
According to PAGASA, the forecast track of Typhoon Marce is highly uncertain. The storm may move westward toward extreme northern Luzon or mainland Luzon or move erratically across the Philippine Sea toward eastward toward extreme northern Luzon.
"There is a possibility that the storm will change direction to the west within the next 24 hours due to the high pressure area to the north of the storm. Therefore, the landfall scenario may change from Babuyan Islands to Isabela area," PAGASA said.
Residents and tourists in the Philippines have not been affected much at present. However, they should pay attention to weather forecasts and arrange their schedules to avoid traveling during the storm.
