Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 28) – The tropical storm outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) has sustained its strength and may become a typhoon over the weekend, the state weather bureau reported Friday.
In its 5 p.m. bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said the storm was last spotted 1,365 km east of Southern Luzon.
The cyclone is expected to enter the PAR between Saturday late evening and Sunday morning and will be named \”Falcon.\”
PAGASA said the storm is moving north northwestward at 25 kilometers per hour (kph) and is packing maximum sustained winds of 65 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 80 kph.
The bureau said it is forecast to continuously intensify within the next five days and is expected to reach its peak intensity by late Monday or early Tuesday.
PAGASA, however, said hoisting of wind signals over any region in the country is unlikely.
Speaking to CNN Philippines’ New Day, PAGASA weather forecaster Rhea Torres said the weather system has a low chance of making landfall or have a direct effect on the country’s weather condition.
