On that last day, Opal reached its peak intensity with one-minute sustained winds of 315 km/h (196 mph) and a central pressure of 895 hPa (26.43 inHg).

Its center then executed a small counterclockwise loop over western Luzon before curving north and briefly emerging into Lingayen Gulf as a tropical storm.

[2]: 78 [1]: 47  Between December 10–12, Opal moved between Yap and Palau, passing 65 km (40 mi) north of Kayangel with one-minute sustained winds of 260 km/h (160 mph).

[2]: 78 [3] On December 12, Opal reached its peak intensity with one-minute sustained winds of 315 km/h (196 mph) and a central pressure of 895 hPa (26.43 inHg).

Its center then executed a small counterclockwise loop over western Luzon before curving north and briefly emerging into Lingayen Gulf as a tropical storm.

[7] Philippine Airlines cancelled all flights scheduled for the afternoon of December 14 and the U.S. military moved its Luzon-based aircraft to safety.

[12] Two people were killed and another three were injured in Virac, Catanduanes, after their house was razed by a landslide caused by torrential rainfall.

[12] Rough seas from Opal off Okinawa swept two people off a ship stranded on a reef during a rescue operation, leading to their deaths.