Super Typhoon “Usagi” makes landfall over Cagayan, Philippines
Super Typhoon “Usagi” – known in the Philippines as Ofel, made landfall near Baggao in the Cagayan region of the Philippines at 13:30 local time (LT) on November 14, 2024, weakening to a typhoon upon landfall. The system is expected to bring strong winds and heavy rains across the Philippines, with authorities raising Wind Signal numbers 3 and 4 in regions where significant damage is anticipated.
Typhoon "Usagi" making Landfall over Baggao, Cagayan in Philippines. Image credit: JMA/Himawari-9, The Watchers. Acquired at 05:30 UTC on November 14, 2024
- Typhoon Usagi (Ofel) made landfall over Baggao in Cagayan at approximately 13:30 local time (LT) on November 14 and weakened into a typhoon.
- Maximum sustained winds at landfall reached 175 km/h (109 mph) with gusts of 240 km/h (149 mph).
- The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has issued a Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 4 for Babuyan Islands, the northern and eastern portions of mainland Cagayan, and the northeastern portion of Isabela.
- Intense rainfall exceeding 200 mm (7.9 inches) is possible over Cagayan and Isabela between November 14 and 15.
Typhoon “Usagi” (Ofel) made landfall over Baggao in Cagayan at approximately 13:30 LT on November 14 and weakened into a typhoon after rapidly intensifying into a Category 4-equivalent super typhoon on November 13.
Maximum sustained winds at landfall reached 175 km/h (109 mph) with gusts of 240 km/h (149 mph). As of 14:00 LT, the system was located approximately 50 km (31 miles) east of Tuguegarao City, Cagayan, and was moving west-northwestward at 20 km/h (12 mph).
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has issued a Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 4 for Babuyan Islands, the northern and eastern portions of mainland Cagayan, and the northeastern portion of Isabela.
Affected regions could experience winds exceeding 118 km/h (73 mph) and up to 184 km/h (114 mph) in the 12 hours following landfall, with potential significant damage to high-risk structures.
Wind Signal No. 3 has been issued for Batanes, the rest of Cagayan, the northern, central, and eastern portions of Isabela, as well as the northern portions of Apayao and Ilocos Norte. Winds exceeding 89 km/h (55 mph) and up to 117 km/h (73 mph) may occur within 18 hours following landfall.
There is a high risk of life-threatening storm surge, with peak heights exceeding 3 m (9.8 feet) expected in the 48 hours following landfall over low-lying or exposed coastal areas of Batanes, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Cagayan (including Babuyan Islands), Isabela, and northern Aurora.
Rough seas of up to 12 m (39 feet) are expected along the seaboard of Cagayan, including the Babuyan Islands. Seas of up to 8 m (26 feet) are expected along the seaboards of Isabela and Batanes, while waves up to 6 m (20 feet) are anticipated in Ilocos Norte.
Intense rainfall exceeding 200 mm (7.9 inches) is possible over Cagayan and Isabela between November 14 and 15, while Quezon could experience similar amounts between November 16 and 17. Affected regions may face severe flooding and landslides due to both Typhoon Usagi and Typhoon Man-Yi (Typhoon No. 14).
Heavy rains of 100 – 200 mm (3.9 – 7.9 inches) are forecast for Batanes, Ilocos Norte, Apayao, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Quirino, and Aurora from November 14 to 15, with similar amounts forecast for other regions between November 15 and 17.
Widespread floods and landslides are likely across affected regions, especially in urbanized, low-lying areas, and locations near rivers.
The system is forecast to continue moving northwestward passing just east of Aparri, After that, it will continue northward into the Luzon Strait and start to stabilize.
A second high-pressure system is forming to the west near Hainan, which will affect Usagi’s movement, causing it to slow down and potentially remain nearly stationary in the area between the two systems. This situation will limit its forward progress, with only a very slow movement northeast off the southeastern coast of Taiwan.
References:
1 Tropical Cyclone Bulletin #14 Typhoon “Ofel” – PAGASA – November 14, 2024
2 WEATHER ADVISORY NO. 31 For: Tropical Cyclones OFEL and {MAN-YI} – PAGASA – November 14, 2024
3 SUBJ/PROGNOSTIC REASONING FOR SUPER TYPHOON 27W (USAGI) WARNING NR
013 – JTWC – Issued at 09:00 UTC on November 14, 2024
I am an Assistant Editor and Severe Weather & Science Journalist at The Watchers, specializing in real-time severe weather coverage, geophysical event reporting, and research-driven scientific analysis. You can reach me at rishav(at)watchers(.)news.
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