Tropical Storm Mitag (2025)

This article is about the 2025 tropical storm. For other storms of the same name, see List of storms named Mitag.

Map key

Saffir–Simpson scale

  Tropical depression (≤38 mph, ≤62 km/h)
  Tropical storm (39–73 mph, 63–118 km/h)
  Category 1 (74–95 mph, 119–153 km/h)
  Category 2 (96–110 mph, 154–177 km/h)
  Category 3 (111–129 mph, 178–208 km/h)
  Category 4 (130–156 mph, 209–251 km/h)
  Category 5 (≥157 mph, ≥252 km/h)
  Unknown

Storm type

Tropical cyclone

Subtropical cyclone

Extratropical cyclone, remnant low, tropical disturbance, or monsoon depression

A low-pressure area was formed northeast of Legazpi, Albay on September 16; it remained stationary. ^[1] On 03:30 UTC, the JTWC issued a Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert (TCFA) due to favorable conditions to develop along with low wind shear. ^[2] Following the alert, PAGASA also upgraded the LPA to a tropical depression on 14:00 PHT (06:00 UTC), giving it the name Mirasol. The system shifted northwestward in the southern portion of a subtropical high. ^[3] Even though it was still in a favorable environment, the system did not develop further. ^[4] According to microwave imagery, the system had deep convective banding while the circulation was slightly tilted southeastward. ^[5] A partially obscured low-level circulation center (LLCC) appeared under the rainband shortly after. ^[6] Three hours later, the JTWC remarked that the system had classic signatures of a cyclone about to experience rapid intensification. The central dense overcast became colder and more symmetric as it was upgraded to a tropical storm. ^{[7] [8]}

On 03:20 PHT (19:20 UTC), the storm made landfall in Casiguran, Aurora as it moved west. ^{[9] [10]} Due to this, the storm maintained its intensity. According to the JTWC, the landfall quickly disrupted the storm's structure and its rapid intensification. ^{[11] [12]} The storm moved over Apayao ^[13] before it re-emerged over the South China Sea on the late hours of September 17 with a weak low-level circulation center obscured by convective activity. The system had a lower wind speed of 29 mph (47 km/h). ^[14] On September 18, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) determined that the storm had a favorable environment for development. ^[15] On 06:00 UTC that same day, the JMA upgraded the depression into a tropical storm, giving it the name Mitag. ^[16] Upon entering the South China Sea, satellite imagery showed continued consolidation of Mitag with increased convective activity and improved equatorward outflow, despite being in a marginal environment. ^[17] The JTWC later issued its final bulletin as Mitag encountered a marginally unfavorable environment influenced by dry air and land interaction. ^[18] Mitag made landfall near Shanwei, Guangdong as a weakening tropical storm. ^[19] JMA continued to track Mitag as the agency downgraded it into a tropical depression. ^[20]

Preparations

Philippines

PAGASA issued TCWS No. 1 ^[a] for Batanes, Cagayan, Isabela, the northern portion of Nueva Vizcaya, the northern and central portions of Aurora, Apayao, Kalinga, Abra, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Ilocos Norte, Polillo Islands, the northern portion of Camarines Norte, the northeastern portion of Camarines Sur, and Catanduanes. ^[21] The OCD placed its operations on Blue Alert signifying the office was preparing for the incoming depression. ^[22] The NDRRMC also raised an alert shortly after. ^[23] The Department of Social Welfare and Development prepared 2,578,821 food packs to aid damages from the storm and placed their quick response teams on standby. ^[24] Malacañang Palace Press Officer Claire Castro also announced that they had 114,623 ready-to-eat food boxes for citizens who might be stranded during sea travel in a press briefing. 313,064 non-food relief items were also prepared such as blankets and hygiene kits and kitchen kits. ^{[25] [26]} Police in southern Luzon were alerted by acting Chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Jose Melencio Nartatez. ^[27] The entire province of Laguna and parts of Aurora and Quezon suspended classes. ^[28] The province of Isabela was on high alert for the tropical depression. ^[29] 121 individuals were evacuated. Classes in 132 municipalities were suspended, 39 from Ilocos Region (Region I) and Region II, and 13 for Central Luzon (Region III). Work in 41 municipalities were also suspended, most from Region I. ^[30]

Hong Kong and Macau

On September 17, the HKO issued Standby Signal No. 1 at 21:20 HKT (13:20 UTC), ^[31] and Macau's SMG did the same at 00:00 MST on the following day (16:00 UTC). ^[32] Both the HKO and SMG later upgraded their signals to Strong Wind Signal No. 3 ^[33] at 09:20 HKT (01:20 UTC) and 07:00 MST (23:00 UTC), respectively, on September 19 as the storm approached the territories. ^[34] A day later, the SMG canceled all tropical cyclone signals at 06:00 MST (22:00 UTC) ^[35] , the HKO downgraded the signal to Standby Signal No. 1 at 09:20 HKT (01:20 UTC) ^[36] and cancelled all tropical cyclone signals at 10:20 HKT (02:20 UTC). ^[37] In the morning on 20 September the Amber rainstorm signal was issued in Hong Kong at 04:05 HKT and remained in place until early afternoon at 15:10. ^[38] The Amber signal was again in effect between 09:10 and 17:30 HKT on 21 September. ^{[39] [40]}

Impact

Philippines

Residents of Casiguran, where the storm made landfall, experienced strong winds and rain which caused a power outage. In Teresa, Rizal, sandbag barriers failed to stop floods to affect a public market. Teresa and Morong, Rizal were strongly affected by flood currents. Isabela experienced strong wind. A bridge in Echague, Isabela was closed due to the river overflowing. Motorists could not access flood-afflicted roads. The flooding caused 100 houses to be submerged. ^[41] Overall, 1,003 individuals were affected, with 171 of them inside evacuation centers. Four roads and 12 bridges were deemed unpassable, most originating from Cagayan Valley (Region II). One person was reported missing from the floods. ^[30] Three died while four others went missing from indirect flooding in Valencia, Bukidnon. ^[42]

Notes

1. With winds up to 39 to 61 kilometres per hour (21 to 33 knots; 24 to 38 miles per hour)

References

1. Warning and Summary 160000 (Report). Japan Meteorological Agency. September 16, 2025. Archived from the original on September 16, 2025. Retrieved September 16, 2025.
2. Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert (Invest 23W) (Report). United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center. September 16, 2025. Archived from the original on September 16, 2025. Retrieved September 16, 2025.
3. Prognostic Reasoning for Tropical Depression 28W (Mirasol) Warning No. 1 (Report). United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center. September 16, 2025. Archived from the original on September 16, 2025. Retrieved September 16, 2025.
4. Reasoning No. 3 for TD located at 15.9N 122.2E (Report). Japan Meteorological Agency. September 16, 2025. Archived from the original on September 17, 2025. Retrieved September 17, 2025.
5. Prognostic Reasoning for Tropical Depression 23W (Mirasol) Warning No. 1 (Report). United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center. September 16, 2025. Archived from the original on September 16, 2025. Retrieved September 17, 2025.
6. Prognostic Reasoning for Tropical Depression 23W (Mirasol) Warning No. 2 (Report). United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center. September 16, 2025. Archived from the original on September 16, 2025. Retrieved September 17, 2025.
7. Prognostic Reasoning for Tropical Depression 23W (Mirasol) Warning No. 3 (Report). United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center. September 16, 2025. Archived from the original on September 17, 2025. Retrieved September 17, 2025.
8. Tropical Storm 23W (Mirasol) Warning No. 3 (Report). United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center. September 16, 2025. Archived from the original on September 17, 2025. Retrieved September 17, 2025.
9. "Tropical Cyclone Bulletin #5 for Tropical Depression 'Mirasol' (23W)" (PDF). PAGASA . September 17, 2025. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 17, 2025. Retrieved September 17, 2025.
10. Arceo, Acor (September 16, 2025). "Tropical Depression Mirasol makes landfall in Aurora". Rappler . Retrieved September 17, 2025.
11. Reasoning No. 4 for TD located at 15.9N 122.2E (Report). Japan Meteorological Agency. September 17, 2025. Archived from the original on September 17, 2025. Retrieved September 17, 2025.
12. Prognostic Reasoning for Tropical Depression 23W (Mirasol) Warning No. 4 (Report). United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center. September 17, 2025. Archived from the original on September 17, 2025. Retrieved September 17, 2025.
13. Mondoñedo, Laureen (September 17, 2025). "Mirasol now over Apayao; another storm seen entering PAR soon". SunStar Publishing Inc. Retrieved September 17, 2025.
14. Prognostic Reasoning for Tropical Depression 23W (Mirasol) Warning No. 7 (Report). United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center. September 17, 2025. Archived from the original on September 18, 2025. Retrieved September 18, 2025.
15. Reasoning No. 8 for TD located at 19.7N 119.4E (Report). Japan Meteorological Agency. September 18, 2025. Archived from the original on September 18, 2025. Retrieved September 18, 2025.
16. Reasoning No. 9 for TS 2517 Mitag (2517) (Report). Japan Meteorological Agency. September 18, 2025. Archived from the original on September 18, 2025. Retrieved September 18, 2025.
17. Prognostic Reasoning for Tropical Storm 23W (Mitag) Warning No. 11 (Report). Joint Typhoon Warning Center. September 18, 2025. Retrieved September 19, 2025.
18. Prognostic Reasoning for Tropical Storm 23W (Mitag) Warning No. 12 (Report). Joint Typhoon Warning Center. September 18, 2025. Retrieved September 19, 2025.
19. Prognostic Reasoning for Tropical Storm 23W (Mitag) Warning No. 12 (Report). Joint Typhoon Warning Center. September 18, 2025. Retrieved September 19, 2025.
20. Warning and Summary 200000 (Report). Tokyo, Japan: Japan Meteorological Agency. September 20, 2025. Retrieved September 20, 2025.
21. "Tropical Cyclone Bulletin #1 for Tropical Depression 'Mirasol' (23W)" (PDF). PAGASA . September 16, 2025. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 16, 2025. Retrieved September 16, 2025.
22. Espiritu, Rex (September 17, 2025). "OCD on Blue Alert ahead of TD 'Mirasol'". Manila Standard . Retrieved September 17, 2025.
23. Nepomuceno, Priam (September 17, 2025). "NDRRMC on 'blue alert' for TD Mirasol". Philippine News Agency . Retrieved September 17, 2025.
24. "DSWD readies 2M food packs for areas along 'Mirasol' path". Philippine News Agency . September 17, 2025. Retrieved September 17, 2025.
25. Cruz, Maricel (September 17, 2025). "DSWD: Relief operations forthcoming amid cyclone 'Mirasol'". Manila Standard . Retrieved September 17, 2025.
26. "Palace: Over 2.5M food packs, 300K relief items on standby for areas along Tropical Depression Mirasol's path". Philippine Information Agency . September 17, 2025. Retrieved September 17, 2025.
27. "Southern Luzon cops alerted over 'Mirasol' threat". SunStar Publishing Inc. September 17, 2025. Retrieved September 17, 2025.
28. Salcedo, Mary Joy (September 17, 2025). "Walang Pasok: Class suspensions on Sept. 17 due to Mirasol". Philippine Daily Inquirer . Retrieved September 17, 2025.
29. Edale, Merlito G. (September 17, 2025). "Isabela is on high alert for Tropical Depression Mirasol". Philippine Information Agency . Retrieved September 17, 2025.
30. Situational Report No. 2 for the Effects of Tropical Cyclone MIRASOL (2025) (PDF) (Report). National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council. September 18, 2025. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 18, 2025. Retrieved September 18, 2025.
31. "Hong Kong to keep T1 signal in effect as tropical depression edges closer". South China Morning Post . September 17, 2025. Retrieved September 19, 2025.
32. "Signal no. 1 issued at midnight and will remain in force during daytime". TDM . September 18, 2025. Retrieved September 18, 2025.
33. "Signal no. 3 was issued at 7 a.m. September 19". TDM . September 19, 2025. Retrieved September 19, 2025.
34. "T3 issued as Mitag intensifies, higher signal possible". RTHK . September 19, 2025. Retrieved September 19, 2025.
35. "All tropical cyclone signals cancelled at 6 a.m." TDM . September 20, 2025. Retrieved September 20, 2025.
36. "Hong Kong lowers typhoon signal to No 1 on Saturday, but storm Ragasa edges closer". South China Morning Post . September 20, 2025. Retrieved September 20, 2025.
37. "天氣｜天文台取消所有熱帶氣旋警告　料今明兩日珠江口一帶仍有狂風驟雨" [Weather: The Observatory cancels all tropical cyclone warnings; strong winds and heavy rain are expected to continue in the Pearl River estuary area today and tomorrow]. TVB (in Cantonese). TVB. September 20, 2025. Retrieved September 20, 2025.
38. "Storm surge warning as potential super typhoon Ragasa heads towards Hong Kong". The SCMP. September 20, 2025. Retrieved September 20, 2025.
39. "天文台發出黃色暴雨警告信號 - RTHK". RTHK (in Chinese (Hong Kong)). September 21, 2025. Retrieved September 24, 2025.
40. "黃色暴雨警告信號取消 - RTHK". RTHK (in Chinese (Hong Kong)). September 21, 2025. Retrieved September 24, 2025.
41. "Mirasol spawns floods in several parts of Luzon, Mindanao". GMA News Online . September 17, 2025. Retrieved September 17, 2025.
42. Butlig, Sheila (September 18, 2025). "Tatlo patay sa rumaragasang baha sa Valencia City, Bukidnon" [Three dead from flooding in Valencia City, Bukidnon]. ABS-CBN News (in Filipino). Retrieved September 18, 2025.

External links

• Media related to Tropical Storm Mitag (2025) at Wikimedia Commons

Tropical Storm Mitag (Mirasol)

Mitag approaching Shanwei, Guangdong, China on September 19

v t e Tropical cyclones of the 2025 Pacific typhoon season
	TD TD STS Wutip TD Auring TS Sepat TD 03W TS Mun TY Danas STS Nari TD 07W TS 08W STS Wipha TS Francisco TY Co-may TY Krosa TS Bailu TD TD TD Iona TD 14W TD 15W TY Podul TD Fabian TD 17W TS Lingling TY Kajiki TS Nongfa TS Peipah TY Tapah TS Mitag VITY Ragasa VITY Neoguri TY Bualoi
Category