A Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) is a plain text warning to particular land area that may

experience winds of at least strong breeze in strength on the Beaufort Scale (i.e., 39 km/h, 22 kt or
higher) within at most 36 hours from the time the signal is put into effect during the passage of a
tropical cyclone. A particular wind signal has an equivalent expected wind threat, length of time (in
hours) before onset of expected wind threat, and potential impacts to the locality. The current TCWS
system uses five (5) levels of wind signals that are numbered from 1 to 5, with a higher signal number
associated with higher general wind strength and shorter warning lead time.

The following must be taken into consideration when using the TCWS system:

The TCWS is meant to warn the public of the threat of general wind strength associated with a tropical
cyclone. Owing to the presence of natural and artificial obstructions such as local topography or
nearby buildings, winds in a particular area (local winds) may be substantially stronger from the
general wind strength over the provincial or sub-provincial locality implied by the wind signal. For
instance, local winds are generally stronger over offshore water and on high ground (i.e., on
mountainous areas) and are weaker in areas that are sheltered from the prevailing wind direction.
A wind signal is usually hoisted at the level of a province, independent component city, or highly
urbanized city (except for Metro Manila who is collectively placed under a single wind signal level).
However, if the meteorological situation requires, a wind signal can be issued at the level of a city or
municipality.
The extent and timing of hoisting of wind signals are based on the intensity, extent of strong winds or
higher, and the forecast direction and speed of movement of the tropical cyclone at the time of
issuance of a bulletin. As such, any change in intensity, extent of strong winds or higher, or movement
of the tropical cyclone also determines the change in the wind signal over a given locality.
Although the TCWS is a tiered system, the escalation or de-escalation of wind signals allows the
skipping of wind signal levels. For instance, Wind Signal #1 on a particular locality can be upgraded
directly to Wind Signal #3 without passing Wind Signal #2. However, this is only observed if the
issuance of an intermediate tropical cyclone bulletin is not sufficient to rapidly change the level of the
hoisted wind signal over a locality.

The current TCWS system has been in use since 23 March 2022 based on the adoption of best
practices from other tropical cyclone warning centers and regionally-accepted operational standards,
developments in objective forecast guidance, operational experiences and challenges encountered by
typhoon forecasters, and feedback from end-users and stakeholders.
 Station 1: Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal #1

(English) WIND THREAT: 39-61 km/h (22-33 kt, 10.8-17.1 m/s)

WARNING LEAD TIME: 36 hours

POTENTIAL IMPACTS:
 House of poor construction (e.g., wood frame, bamboo, makeshift), old
dilapidated structures, and other structures made of light materials will
suffer minimal to minor damage.
 Some banana and similar plants are tilted, while twigs of small trees may
sway with the wind. Rice crops, especially those in flowering and ripening
stages, may suffer some damage.
 Minimal disruption to public transportation.

(Tagalog) BANTA NG HANGIN: 39-61 km/h (22-33 kt, 10.8-17.1 m/s)

WARNING LEAD TIME: 36 na oras

MGA POTENSYAL NA EPEKTO:

 Bahay na hindi maganda ang konstruksyon (hal., kahoy na frame, kawayan,
pansamantala), lumang sira-sirang istruktura, at iba pang istrukturang gawa sa
magaan na materyales ay magdaranas ng kaunting pinsala.
 Ang ilang saging at katulad na mga halaman ay nakatagilid, habang ang mga sanga
ng maliliit na puno ay maaaring umindayog sa hangin. Ang mga pananim na palay,
lalo na ang mga nasa yugto ng pamumulaklak at pagkahinog, ay maaaring
makaranas ng kaunting pinsala.
 Minimal na pagkagambala sa pampublikong transportasyon.

(Binisaya) HULGA SA HANGIN: 39-61 km/h (22-33 kt, 10.8-17.1 m/s)

WARNING LEAD TIME: 36 ka oras
POTENSYAL NGA EPEKTO:
 Ang balay nga dili maayo nga konstruksyon (pananglitan, kahoy nga bayanan,
kawayan, makeshift), karaan nga guba nga mga istruktura, ug uban pang mga
istruktura nga hinimo sa gaan nga materyales ang mag-antos sa gamay hangtod
sa gamay nga kadaot.
 Ang ubang mga saging ug susamang mga tanom gikiling, samtang ang mga sanga
sa gagmay nga mga kahoy mahimong mapadpad sa hangin. Ang mga pananom sa
humay, ilabina kadtong anaa sa mga yugto sa pagpamulak ug pagkahinog,
mahimong makaagom ug pipila ka kadaot.
  Minimal nga pagkabalda sa pampublikong transportasyon.

Station 2: Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal #2

WIND THREAT: 62-88 km/h (34-47 kt, 17.2-24.4 m/s)

WARNING LEAD TIME: 24 hours

POTENTIAL IMPACTS:
 Minor to moderate damage may occur to makeshift or old dilapidated
structures, and other structures made of light materials. Houses of poor and
average construction (e.g., unreinforced CHB/masonry, mixed timber-CHB)
may receive minor roof damage.
 Unsecured, exposed lightweight items may become projectiles which may
cause additional damage.
 Some electrical wires may be blown down, resulting in local power outages.
 Minor to moderate disruption to public transportation.
 Most banana and similar plants are tilted, with some stooped or downed.
Some small trees blow over, with twigs and branches of frail trees broken.
Considerable damage is likely to rice and other similar crops, especially
those in flowering and ripening stages.

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal #3

WIND THREAT: 89-117 km/h (48-63 kt, 24.5-32.6 m/s)

WARNING LEAD TIME: 18 hours

POTENTIAL IMPACTS:
 Makeshift or old, dilapidated structures, and other structures made of light
materials may suffer substantial damage. Houses of poor or average
construction will have considerate roof damage, some blown-out windows,
and/or partial wall damage. Well-constructed houses (e.g., reinforced/pre-
cast CHB, reinforced concrete moment frame) may suffer minimal to minor
roof damage.
 Warehouses and other buildings in industrial parks may suffer minor to
moderate damage.
 Unsecured, exposed outdoor items of light to moderate weight may become
projectiles, causing additional damage or injuries.
 Many areas may suffer power outages with numerous downed power lines
ans posts. Minimal to minor disruption in telecommunications and potable
water suppy.
 Moderate to significant disruption to public transportation
  Some small trees. most banana and similar plants, and a few large trees are
downed or broken. Rice and other similar crops, especially those in
flowering and ripening stages may suffer heavy damage.

Station 3: Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal #4

WIND THREAT: 118-184 km/h (64-99 kt, 32.7-51.2 m/s)

WARNING LEAD TIME: 12 hours
POTENTIAL IMPACTS:
 Severe damage will occur to makeshift or old, dilapidated
of light structures, and other structures made of light
materials. Houses of poor or average construction may
receive major damage, including complete roof failure
and possible wall collapse; a few may suffer severe
damage.
 Most well-constructed houses may suffer minor to
moderate roof damage, with some houses experiencing
major roof failure; blown out windows are also likely.
 Failure of aluminum and steel roofs and coverings may
occur in buildings at industrial parks.
 Some glass in most high-rise office buildings may be
blown out; a few of these buildings may have minor to
moderate damage and higher proportion of blown-out
windows due to swaying.
 Considerable airborne debris will be generated and may
cause damage, injury, and possible fatalities.
 Near total loss of power supply and telecommunications
due to numerous downed power lines, poles, and cellular
towers. Diminished availability of potable water supply
is also likely.
 Significant to severe disruption to public transportation.
 Significant damage to banana and similar plants. Most
small tress and some large trees will be broken,
 defoliated, or uprooted. Almost total damage to rice and
other crops.

Station 4: Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal #5

WIND THREAT: 185 km/h or higher (100 kt or higher, 51.3

m/s or higher)

WARNING LEAD TIME: 12 hours

POTENTIAL IMPACTS:
 Severe to catastrophic damage is expected to houses of
poor or average construction, makeshift or old,
dilapidated structures, and other structures made of
light materials. Well-constructed houses may suffer
substantial roof and wall failure or damage.
 Many industrial buildings will be destroyed, with only
few receiving partial roof and wall damage.
 Most windows will be blown out n high-rise office
buildings; Moderate structural damage is possible due to
swaying.
 Extensive damage will be cause by airborne debris.
People, pets, and livestock exposed to the wind are at
great risk of injury or death.
 Electricity, potable water supply, and
telecommunications will be unavailable for prolonged
periods due to significant disruption in infrastructure.
 Prolonged significant to severe disruption to public
transportation.
 Vast majority of the trees will be broken, defoliated, or
unrooted. Banana and similar plants will be extensively
damaged. Few trees, plants, and crops will survive.
Station 1 – Oral Reading
Instruction: Share to class the
details about the chosen
typhoon category in a form of
oral reading using your language
of choice (Binisaya, Tagalog or
English)

Station 2 –Reporting
Instruction: Compare
two typhoon categories
using the data table
below. Share to class
your output.

Station 3 – Draw & Tell

Instruction: On the board,
translate into a drawing
the important description
about the chosen typhoon
category. Describe your
drawings in class.

Station 4: Drama
Instruction: Dramatize your
chosen typhoon category.
Make sure to include in the
performance the following:
Corresponding Warning
Signal, Maximum Sustained
Winds & Damage Cause
Typhoon Meaning Speed Damages
Category
STATION 1

STATION 2

STATION 3

STATION 4