UPDATE3: The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAG-ASA) Forecasting Center have reported this 11:00 p.m. that typhoon “PEPENG” (International codename: Parma) has changed course to the Northwest Direction and is now moving towards Cagayan.

Here’s a closer look of the DOST-PAGASA MTSAT-EIR satellite picture at 11 p.m.: (the growing red portion as compared to previous satellite images from Updates 1 and 2 indicates heavier rainfalls)

Pepeng is located at 200 kms North Northeast of Virac, Catanduanes or 380 km Southeast of Aparri, Cagayan (15.9°N, 124.6°E) with maximum sustained winds of 175 kph near center and gustiness of up to 210 kph moving Northwest at 13 kph.

Storm Warning Signal No. 1 (30 – 60 kph winds):
Batanes, Calayan Group of Islands, Babuyan Group of Islands, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Apayao, Abra, Kalinga, Mt. Province, Ifugao, Nueva Viscaya, Benguet, La Union, Pangasinan, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, Zambales, Bataan, Pampanga, Bulacan, Laguna, Batangas, Cavite, Rizal, Rest of Quezon, Marinduque, Albay, Burias Islands, Sorsogon, Metro Manila and Northern Samar.

Storm Warning Signal No. 2 (60 – 100 kph winds):
Cagayan, Isabela, Aurora, Quirino, Northern Quezon, Polilio Islands, Camarines Norte and Camarines Sur.

Storm Warning Signal No. 3 (100 – 185 kph winds):
Catanduanes

It’s expected to make landfall in Northern Cagayan by tomorrow (Saturday) evening; 130 kms Northwest of Aparri, Cagayan by Sunday evening; and 170 km West of Basco, Batanes by Monday evening.

Residents in low-lying areas and near mountain slopes under signals #3, #2 and #1 are advised to take all the necessary precautionary measures against possible flashfloods and landslides.

[For UPDATE4 (5 a.m., October 3, 2009) please click here:]