Metro Manila, Philippines – Severe tropical storm Francisco may intensify into a typhoon by Sunday evening, the state weather bureau said.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said in its 11 a.m. bulletin that the cyclone will likely remain over the Philippine Sea east of Luzon during the forecast period and that it is not likely to make landfall.
No wind signals have been raised as of this writing.
PAGASA said Signal No.1 may be hoisted over northern and eastern portions of Cagayan, Babuyan Islands, and Batanes on Monday morning.
Francisco entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Saturday night.
It is currently located 1,170 kilometers east of Southeastern Luzon with center winds of 110 kilometers per hour (kph) and gusts of up to 135 kph.
