MANILA, Philippines – Bagyong Crising (international name: Wipha) intensified into a tropical storm as it approaches northern Luzon, according to the latest 5:00 a.m. bulletin from PAGASA on Friday, July 18, 2025.
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| Satellite image of Tropical Storm 'Crising' as of 5:00 am, July 18. Photo courtesy: PAGASA |
As of 4:00 a.m., the center of Crising was located approximately 335 km east of Echague, Isabela, or 325 km east of Tuguegarao City, Cagayan.
The storm is currently packing maximum sustained winds of 65 km/h, gusts of up to 80 km/h, and has a central pressure of 996 hPa. It is moving northwestward at 20 km/h.
Due to worsening weather conditions, several local government units have suspended classes at all levels today, July 18, 2025, as a precautionary measure.
READ: #WalangPasok: Class suspensions on Friday, July 18, 2025
Areas Under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signals
Signal No. 2
The following areas are under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 2, where winds of 62–88 km/h may be expected within the next 24 hours:
- Batanes
- Cagayan including Babuyan Islands
- the northern and eastern portions of Isabela (Palanan, Ilagan City, Divilacan, Delfin Albano, Quezon, Tumauini, Maconacon, Santa Maria, Cabagan, San Pablo, Santo Tomas, San Mariano, Dinapigue)
- Apayao
- the northern portion of Kalinga (City of Tabuk, Balbalan, Pinukpuk, Rizal)
- the northern portion of Abra (Malibcong, Lacub, Lagangilang, Licuan-Baay, Danglas, Lagayan, San Juan, Tineg, La Paz, Dolores)
- Ilocos Norte
- the northern portion of Ilocos Sur (Cabugao, Sinait)
Signal No. 1
The following areas are under TCWS No. 1, with expected winds of 39–61 km/h within the next 36 hours:
- the rest of Isabela
- Quirino
- Nueva Vizcaya
- the rest of Kalinga
- Mountain Province
- Ifugao
- the rest of Abra
- Benguet
- the rest of Ilocos Sur
- La Union
- the northern portion of Pangasinan (San Nicolas, Natividad, San Quintin, San Manuel, Tayug, Sison, San Fabian, Pozorrubio, Laoac, Binalonan, San Jacinto, Manaoag, Mangaldan, Dagupan City, Binmaley, Lingayen, Labrador, Sual, City of Alaminos, Bolinao, Anda, Bani, Agno, Burgos, Mabini, Dasol, Calasiao, Santa Barbara, Mapandan, Bugallon)
- the northern portion of Aurora (Dilasag, Casiguran, Dinalungan, Dipaculao, Baler, Maria Aurora)
- the northeastern portion of Nueva Ecija (Carranglan, Pantabangan)
- Polillo Islands
- Camarines Norte
- Catanduanes
- the northeastern portion Camarines Sur (Caramoan, Garchitorena, Lagonoy, San Jose, Presentacion, Tinambac, Siruma, Goa)
Track and Intensity Outlook
Tropical Storm Crising is expected to continue moving northwestward over the next 12 hours.
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| Track of Tropical Storm 'Crising' as of July 18, 2025. Photo courtesy: PAGASA |
A landfall over mainland Cagayan or the Babuyan Islands is possible this afternoon or evening, followed by a west-northwestward track across Extreme Northern Luzon. The system is forecast to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) by Saturday afternoon.
Crising intensified into a tropical storm at 2:00 a.m. today, and it is forecast to further intensify into a Severe Tropical Storm by Saturday morning or afternoon.
Other Hazards Affecting Land Areas
Storm Surge: There is a minimal to moderate risk of life-threatening storm surges with peak heights of 1.0 to 2.0 meters within the next 48 hours, particularly in low-lying and exposed coastal areas of Cagayan, Babuyan Islands, Isabela, Ilocos Norte, and Ilocos Sur.
Gale Warning: A gale warning is in effect over the northern seaboard of Northern Luzon. Sea travel is risky for all types of vessels, and mariners are strongly advised to remain in port or seek safe harbor until weather conditions improve.
2025 Tropical Cyclone Summary
Crising is the third tropical cyclone to form or enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility in 2025.
The Philippines experiences an average of 20 tropical cyclones annually, with around half making landfall across various regions of the country.
— The Summit Express