Fabian accelerates slightly, maintains strength

Tropical depression Fabian has slightly accelerated while maintaining its strength, PAGASA said Saturday afternoon.

According to PAGASA's 5 p.m. severe weather bulletin, while Fabian is unlikely to bring heavy rainfall, it is currently enhancing the Southwest Monsoon or the Habagat.

PAGASA said the weather system may bring monsoon rains over Palawan and Occidental Mindoro within 24 hours.

Fabian is also forecast to intensify into a tropical storm within 12 hours and intensify into a typhoon by Tuesday morning.

As of 4 p.m. on Saturday, Fabian's center was estimated at 1,205 kilometers east of extreme northern Luzon with maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 70 kph.

It is moving north-northwestward at 20 kph.

“On the forecast track, FABIAN will remain far from the Philippine landmass throughout the forecast period,” PAGASA said.

Fabian is forecast to exit the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) on Monday afternoon or evening while moving toward the southern portion of the Ryukyu Islands.

PAGASA's next severe weather bulletin is set to be issued at 11 p.m. —LBG, GMA News