Pepito now a super typhoon and was last seen 185 km east of Catarman, Northern Samar. DOST-PAGASA HIMAWARIMANILA — As Pepito intensified into a super typhoon on Saturday morning, both Catanduanes and the northeastern portion of Camarines Sur are now under Signal no. 4, according to the state weather bureau.

Based on Pagasa's 11 a.m. weather bulletin, Pepito was was last seen 185 km east of Catarman, Northern Samar, packing winds of 185 kph with gusts up to 230 kph. The cyclone continues to move west northwestward.

READ: Storm surge warning up in areas on Typhoon Pepito’s path

Pagasa also stated that Pepito is likely to make landfall in Catanduanes Saturday night or early morning on Sunday, November 17.

The weather bureau is also not ruling out a landfall scenario over the eastern coast of Camarines Sur or Albay during the same time frame, or along the eastern coast of Quezon or Aurora tomorrow afternoon or evening.

The super typhoon will be closest to Manila between Sunday afternoon and early evening as it navigates over the northern Central Luzon.

As Pepito gradually reaches its peak intensity, Pagasa reminds that heavy rainfall, severe winds, and storm surge should be expected even in localities outside the landfall point and forecast confidence cone.

PAGASA: Prioritize wind signals over landfall location during typhoon

The affected areas under Signal no. 4 are the following:

• Catanduanes

• The northeastern portion of Camarines Sur (Garchitorena, Presentacion, Caramoan, Lagonoy, San Jose)

These following areas are under Signal no. 3:

• The eastern portion of Camarines Norte (Vinzons, Talisay, Mercedes, Daet, Basud, San Vicente, San Lorenzo Ruiz)

• The northern and southeastern portion of Camarines Sur (Sagñay, Tigaon, Goa, Tinambac, Siruma, Buhi, Ocampo, Iriga City, Sipocot, Pili, Cabusao, Calabanga, Bombon, Magarao, Canaman, Naga City, Camaligan)

• The eastern portion of Albay (City of Tabaco, Malilipot, Tiwi, Malinao, Santo Domingo, Manito, Legazpi City, Bacacay, Rapu-Rapu)

• The northeastern portion of Sorsogon (Prieto Diaz, City of Sorsogon, Gubat)

• The eastern portion of Northern Samar (Palapag, Laoang, Mapanas, Gamay, Lapinig, Catubig, Pambujan) 

• The northern portion of Eastern Samar (San Policarpo, Arteche, Oras, Jipapad)

Signal no. 2 meanwhile is up in these locations:

• The southeastern portion of Isabela (Dinapigue)

• Aurora

• Quezon

• The eastern portion of Rizal (Tanay, Pililla, Jala-Jala)

• Laguna

• The rest of Camarines Norte

• The rest of Camarines Sur, the rest of Albay

• The rest of Sorsogon

• Burias Island

• Ticao Island

• The central portion of Eastern Samar (Dolores, Maslog, Can-Avid, Taft, • Sulat, San Julian, City of Borongan)

• The northern portion of Samar (Matuguinao, Calbayog City, Santa Margarita, San Jorge, San Jose de Buan, Tarangnan, Motiong, Gandara, Jiabong, City of Catbalogan, Paranas, Hinabangan, San Sebastian, Pagsanghan)

• The rest of Northern Samar

These areas are under Signal no. 1:

• Mainland Cagayan

• The rest of Isabela

• Quirino

• Nueva Vizcaya

• Apayao

• Kalinga

• Abra

• Mountain Province

• Ifugao

• Benguet

• Ilocos Norte

• Ilocos Sur

• La Union

• Pangasinan

• Nueva Ecija

• Bulacan

• Tarlac

• Pampanga

• Zambales

• Bataan

• Metro Manila

• The rest of Rizal

• Cavite

• Batangas

• Marinduque

• The northern portion of Oriental Mindoro (Puerto Galera, San Teodoro, Naujan, Baco, Victoria, Socorro, Pinamalayan, Bansud, Gloria, Pola, City of Calapan)

• Romblon

• The rest of Masbate

• The rest of Eastern Samar

• The rest of Samar

• Biliran

• The northern and central portions of Leyte (Tunga, Pastrana, San Miguel, Matag-Ob, Tolosa, Palo, Calubian, Leyte, Mayorga, Julita, Carigara, Babatngon, Dagami, Jaro, San Isidro, Santa Fe, Albuera, Villaba, La Paz, Palompon, Macarthur, Tabontabon, Tanauan, Merida, Ormoc City, Isabel, Dulag, Capoocan, Alangalang, Burauen, Tabango, Tacloban City, Kananga, Barugo, Abuyog, Javier, City of Baybay, Mahaplag)

• The northeastern portion of Southern Leyte (Silago)

• The northernmost portion of Cebu (Daanbantayan, Medellin) including • Bantayan Islands

• The northernmost portion of Iloilo (Carles)

• The northern portion of Dinagat Islands (Loreto, Tubajon)

Wind signal no. 5 is the highest wind warning that will be raised during Pepito’s passage.   

Authorities meantime warned that lahar flow is also possible along the slopes of Mayon Volcano in Albay.

Pepito is expected to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) on Monday.