Kiyapo intensifies into tropical storm as it nears extreme Northern Luzon

Tropical Storm Kiyapo (Noul) is bringing significant rain to Northern Luzon, as well as scattered rain and thunderstorms to much of Central Luzon and even Southern Luzon, on Friday, July 24

MANILA, Philippines – Kiyapo strengthened from a tropical depression into a tropical storm at 2 am on Friday, July 24, as its maximum sustained winds increased from 55 kilometers per hour to 65 km/h.

Its gustiness also increased from 70 km/h to 80 km/h, said the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

Following its intensification into a tropical storm, Kiyapo was assigned the international name Noul, a name contributed by North Korea which means “red sky.”

As of 7 am on Friday, Kiyapo was already 260 kilometers east of Aparri, Cagayan. It slowed down, moving west at 20 km/h from the previous 30 km/h.

PAGASA expects the tropical storm to pass close to the northeastern portion of mainland Cagayan on Friday morning or afternoon, then pass very close to or make landfall in Cagayan’s Babuyan Islands in the afternoon or evening.

Kiyapo may also strengthen further into a severe tropical storm after passing the Babuyan Islands, followed by potential rapid intensification over the West Philippine Sea, where it could become a typhoon.

Kiyapo is bringing significant rain to Northern Luzon, as well as scattered rain and thunderstorms to much of Central Luzon and even Southern Luzon, including Metro Manila and Calabarzon, on Friday.

Over the next two days, the following would be the provinces most affected by rainfall from Kiyapo:

Friday, July 24

Heavy to intense rain (100-200 millimeters): Batanes, Cagayan, Apayao, Ilocos Norte Moderate to heavy rain (50-100 mm): Isabela, Abra, Ilocos Sur, Kalinga, Benguet, La Union

Saturday, July 25

Moderate to heavy rain (50-100 mm): Batanes, Cagayan, Apayao, Abra, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur

The southwest monsoon or habagat also continues to trigger considerable rainfall on the western side of the country.

Weather conditions in Mindanao are gradually improving on Friday, although it may still have scattered rain and thunderstorms due to the southwest monsoon. The most affected by the habagat during the day include provinces in Mimaropa, Western Visayas, and the Negros Island Region.

Friday, July 24

Moderate to heavy rain (50-100 mm): Palawan, Occidental Mindoro, Antique, Iloilo, Guimaras, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental

Saturday, July 25

Moderate to heavy rain (50-100 mm): Occidental Mindoro

For winds, Signal No. 2 was first raised when Kiyapo became a tropical storm. Here is the latest list of areas under tropical cyclone wind signals as of 8 am on Friday:

Signal No. 2

Gale-force winds (62 to 88 km/h), minor to moderate threat to life and property

Batanes northern part of mainland Cagayan (Santa Ana, Gonzaga, Santa Teresita, Buguey, Camalaniugan, Aparri, Ballesteros, Abulug, Pamplona, Sanchez-Mira, Claveria, Santa Praxedes) including Babuyan Islands northern part of Ilocos Norte (Pagudpud) Signal No. 1

Strong winds (39 to 61 km/h), minimal to minor threat to life and property

rest of mainland Cagayan Isabela Nueva Vizcaya Quirino Apayao Abra Kalinga Mountain Province Ifugao Benguet rest of Ilocos Norte Ilocos Sur La Union northern and central parts of Aurora (Dilasag, Casiguran, Dinalungan, Dipaculao)

PAGASA might raise Signal No. 3 if Kiyapo becomes a severe tropical storm while crossing the Batanes-Babuyan Islands area.

The southwest monsoon and Kiyapo’s periphery or outer bands are also bringing strong to gale-force gusts to these areas:

Friday, July 24

Saturday, July 25

most of Luzon, most of Visayas, Zamboanga del Norte, Davao Oriental

Sunday, July 26

Ilocos Region, Zambales, Bataan, Occidental Mindoro, Kalayaan Islands

On Friday, conditions in several seaboards remain dangerous, especially in Northern Luzon.

Up to very rough seas (travel is risky for all vessels)

Seaboards of Batanes and Babuyan Islands – waves up to 5.5 meters high Northern seaboards of mainland Cagayan and Ilocos Norte – waves up to 4.5 meters high

Up to rough seas (small vessels should not venture out to sea)

Remaining seaboards of mainland Cagayan and Ilocos Norte; eastern seaboard of Davao Oriental – waves up to 3 meters high

Up to moderate to rough seas (small vessels should take precautionary measures or avoid sailing, if possible)

Seaboards of Isabela and Surigao del Sur – waves up to 2.5 meters high Seaboards of Ilocos Sur, Aurora, Cagayancillo Islands, and Davao Occidental; northern and eastern seaboards of Polillo Islands and Catanduanes; northern seaboards of Camarines Norte and Camarines Sur; eastern seaboards of Sorsogon, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, and Dinagat Islands; western seaboards of Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Sultan Kudarat, and Sarangani; southern seaboards of Iloilo, Zamboanga del Sur, and Davao Oriental; southern and western seaboards of Guimaras, Negros Occidental, and Kalayaan Islands – waves up to 2 meters high

Kiyapo is the Philippines’ 11th tropical cyclone for 2026, and the fourth for July alone. It may exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility by Saturday morning, July 25, then head for China. – Rappler.com

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