Severe Tropical Storm Cempaka intensified into a typhoon at 2 p.m. Sunday, packing maximum sustained winds of 120 kilometers per hour and gusts of up to 150 kph, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa). The system was located 1,630 kilometers east of extreme Northern Luzon as it prepared to cross the boundary of the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR).
Pagasa forecast the storm to cross into the PAR on Sunday evening or early Monday morning. Once it enters the designated monitoring zone, weather officials will assign the local name Samuel, marking it as the country’s 19th tropical cyclone of the year.
Typhoon Track and Direct Effects on the Philippines
State weather forecasters confirmed that Cempaka is not directly affecting the country’s landmass as it approaches. However, related weather systems are altering conditions across multiple regions. The northeast monsoon, locally known as amihan, is generating moderate to rough seas in Northern and Central Luzon.
Additional reports from weather specialist Daniel James Villamil noted that while the storm’s entry into the PAR remained likely, it was considered unlikely to make a direct landfall on the country’s main islands during the initial stages of its approach. Meanwhile, a shear line formed by the convergence of cold, dry air from the northeast and warm, moist air from the Pacific is bringing cloudy skies, scattered rains, and isolated thunderstorms to Aurora, Quezon, and Camarines Norte.
Did You Know? Cempaka developed from a tropical depression that originally formed outside the PAR, tracking westward over the western Pacific before strengthening into a typhoon over open water.
Track regional rainfall risks across multiple provinces
Weather specialist Grace Castañeda-Carpio outlined additional rainfall risks linked to the broader monsoon pattern, noting that light to moderate rains could affect Cagayan, Isabela, Aurora, parts of the Cagayan Valley, and several areas within the Cordillera Administrative Region. Easterly winds are expected to introduce scattered rains to Quezon and Bicol, while Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon remain largely cloudy.
Further south, the probability of scattered rain showers and thunderstorms remains high across Eastern Visayas, Caraga, and the Davao Region.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Cempaka intensify into a typhoon?
Pagasa reported that the tropical cyclone intensified into a typhoon at 2 p.m. on Sunday, November 8, 2026.
What local name will be assigned to the storm inside the PAR?
Once the system crosses into the Philippine area of responsibility, it will be designated with the local name Samuel.
What weather conditions are currently affecting Northern and Central Luzon?
The northeast monsoon is causing moderate to rough seas in Northern and Central Luzon, alongside cloudy skies and light rains in specific northern provinces.
How will the northeast monsoon causing moderate to rough seas in Northern Luzon affect local transport operators and coastal communities over the next 24 hours?