MANILA, Philippines — Tropical Storm Ramil, internationally known as Fengshen, has been upgraded by the Japan Meteorological Agency as it continues to move closer to the eastern coast of the Philippines, particularly near Samar and the Bicol Region.
Satellite monitoring shows dense cloud formations concentrated south of the storm’s center, indicating that strong winds and heavy rains will extend far from its core. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has placed several areas under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal warnings, including parts of Samar, Bicol, and much of Central and Northern Luzon. Authorities are also monitoring the possibility of expanding these warnings to cover Metro Manila, Cavite, and northern Mindoro.
Forecast models suggest that Ramil will track west to northwest, passing near the Bicol Region before crossing toward the National Capital Region and exiting through Subic Bay or southern Pangasinan between Saturday and Sunday.
The weather system is expected to bring widespread heavy rainfall — with totals reaching 150 to 200 millimeters in parts of Cagayan Valley and the Sierra Madre range, and 50 to 100 millimeters across other regions.
Despite being classified as a tropical storm, Ramil’s large circulation is expected to produce significant rain due to its interaction with high-pressure systems to the north and an approaching autumn front, which may also bring additional rainfall to northern Luzon and parts of Taiwan.
