Tropical Storm Kiyapo — known internationally as Noul — intensified early Friday, July 24, 2026, prompting state weather bureau PAGASA to raise Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2 over Batanes, the Babuyan Islands, and 12 towns in northern mainland Cagayan, as the storm barreled toward extreme northern Luzon.
In its 5:00 a.m. bulletin, PAGASA placed the center of Kiyapo at 345 kilometers east of Aparri, Cagayan, with maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour near the center, gusts reaching up to 80 kph, and a central pressure of 998 hPa. The storm was moving west-northwestward at 30 kph at the time of the report.
Areas Under Signal No. 2 and Signal No. 1
Signal No. 2, which warns of gale-force winds of 62 to 88 kph within 24 hours, covers Batanes, the Babuyan Islands, and the following 12 towns in the northern portion of mainland Cagayan: Santa Ana, Gonzaga, Santa Teresita, Buguey, Camalaniugan, Aparri, Ballesteros, Abulug, Pamplona, Sanchez-Mira, Claveria, and Santa Praxedes. Pagudpud in Ilocos Norte is also under Signal No. 2.
Signal No. 1, indicating strong winds of 39 to 61 kph within 36 hours, is in effect over the rest of mainland Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, Apayao, Abra, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Benguet, the rest of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, and the northern and central portions of Aurora, according to PAGASA.
PAGASA did not rule out the possibility of Signal No. 3 being raised should Kiyapo further strengthen into a severe tropical storm while crossing the Batanes-Babuyan area.
Kiyapo's Projected Track Through Northern Luzon
PAGASA said Kiyapo will continue moving west-northwestward until Saturday toward the Luzon Strait before turning northwestward to northward. The storm's center may pass close to the northeastern portion of mainland Cagayan between Friday morning and afternoon.
Between Friday afternoon and evening, the center is expected to pass very close to or make landfall over the Babuyan Islands. PAGASA forecast that Kiyapo will exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility by Saturday morning.
After clearing the Babuyan Islands, the storm may be upgraded to a severe tropical storm and could undergo rapid intensification over the West Philippine Sea, potentially reaching typhoon strength before striking southern mainland China. It is expected to weaken as it moves inland over China.
Southwest Monsoon to Bring Gusty Winds Nationwide
Beyond the direct storm track, PAGASA warned that Kiyapo's outer bands will enhance the southwest monsoon, bringing strong to gale-force gusts over most of the country on Friday — particularly in coastal and upland areas exposed to the wind.
By Saturday, gusty conditions are expected to persist over most of Luzon and the Visayas, along with Zamboanga del Norte and Davao Oriental. By Sunday, the area of concern will narrow to the Ilocos Region, Zambales, Bataan, Occidental Mindoro, and the Kalayaan Islands, according to PAGASA's bulletin.
Dangerous Seas Off Northern Luzon Coasts
A gale warning remains in force over the northern seaboard of Northern Luzon. PAGASA forecast waves of up to 5.5 meters off Batanes and the Babuyan Islands, and up to 4.5 meters off the northern seaboards of mainland Cagayan and Ilocos Norte. The weather bureau described sea travel in those waters as risky for vessels of all types and tonnage.
Rough seas of up to 3.0 meters are expected over the remaining seaboards of mainland Cagayan and Ilocos Norte, and the eastern seaboard of Davao Oriental. Moderate to rough seas of up to 2.0 meters were forecast over several Visayas and Mindanao waters, including the southern and western seaboards of Guimaras and Negros Occidental and the southern seaboard of Iloilo.
PAGASA advised operators of motorbancas and similar small vessels in those areas to take precautionary measures given the elevated sea conditions.
PAGASA Urges Local Disaster Offices to Act
PAGASA urged local disaster risk reduction and management offices across affected areas to take all necessary measures to protect life and property. Residents in areas highly susceptible to wind and rainfall hazards were advised to follow evacuation instructions from local officials.
The weather bureau said its next bulletin was due at 8:00 a.m. Friday, July 24, 2026.
By the Numbers
- 345 km — Distance of Kiyapo's center east of Aparri, Cagayan, as of the 5:00 a.m. bulletin
- 65 kph — Maximum sustained winds near the center of Kiyapo
- 80 kph — Peak gusts recorded near the storm's center
- 998 hPa — Central pressure of Tropical Storm Kiyapo
- 30 kph — Speed of the storm moving west-northwestward
- 5.5 meters — Forecast wave height off Batanes and the Babuyan Islands
- 4.5 meters — Forecast wave height off northern Cagayan and Ilocos Norte seaboards
- 12 towns — Number of northern Cagayan municipalities under Signal No. 2
- 2.0 meters — Moderate to rough seas forecast over parts of Visayas and Mindanao waters
Why This Matters
Tropical Storm Kiyapo poses an immediate threat to life and property across extreme northern Luzon, with Signal No. 2 in force and a possible upgrade to Signal No. 3 if the storm strengthens before crossing the Batanes-Babuyan corridor. Sea travel has been declared risky for all vessel types along northern seaboards, disrupting maritime transport in one of the Philippines' most remote island chains. The southwest monsoon enhanced by Kiyapo will extend wind and sea hazards well beyond the storm's direct path, affecting communities across Luzon, the Visayas, and parts of Mindanao through the weekend.
Photo credit: Photo courtesy of PAGASA