Isang gains strength while moving northwestward over Philippine Sea

Tropical Storm Isang (international name: Omais), which is unlikely to directly affect the weather condition and bring heavy rainfall in the country, gained strength as it moved northwestward over the Philippine Sea, PAGASA said Saturday.

"No Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal is currently in effect," the state weather bureau said in its 11 a.m. bulletin.

PAGASA said the latest forecast scenario for Isang showed that the hoisting of Tropical Cyclone Wind Signals over any land area in the country remains unlikely.

Isang's passage is also unlikely to enhance the Southwest Monsoon (Habagat) and bring gusty conditions to the country.

Isang is forecast to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) on Sunday morning or afternoon, based on the forecast track.

The tropical storm is forecast to continue to intensify until Sunday morning, when it is likely to reach its peak intensity. A weakening trend may commence by Sunday evening, according to PAGASA.

As of 10 a.m., the center of Tropical Storm Isang was estimated based on all available data at 605 km east northeast of Basco or Itbayat, Batanes.

It has maximum sustained winds of 75 km/h near the center, gustiness of up to 90 km/h, and central pressure of 1002 hPa.

It is moving northwestward at 30 km/h, with strong winds or higher extend outward up to 160 km from the center. —Jamil Santos/KG, GMA News