Signal No. 1 up over Kalayaan Islands as Verbena intensifies into severe tropical storm

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1 is in effect over Kalayaan Islands as Verbena intensified into a severe tropical storm Wednesday morning, according to state weather bureau PAGASA.

In its 11 a.m. bulletin, PAGASA said Kalayaan Islands may experience strong winds with minimal to minor threat to life and property.

Verbena was last spotted 375 kilometers west of Coron, Palawan or 310 km east northeast of Pag-asa Island, Kalayaan, Palawan.

The severe tropical storm was packing maximum sustained winds of 95 km per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 115 kph.

Verbena was moving westward at 35 kph.

According to PAGASA, Verbena is expected to move towards the West Philippine Sea on Wednesday and pass north of Kalayaan Islands. 

“It is forecast to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility tonight or tomorrow (27 November) early morning,” PAGASA said.

Verbena may reach the typhoon category on Thursday.

“Afterwards, it will decelerate significantly and move slowly west southwestward until Friday (28 November) morning. For the rest of Friday towards the end of the forecast period, VERBENA will turn north northwestward while still moving slowly,” PAGASA said.

“VERBENA is forecast to reach typhoon category tomorrow due to favorable environment. Afterwards, the surge of the Northeast Monsoon will weaken VERBENA, reaching tropical storm category by the weekend,” it added.—AOL, GMA Integrated News