Metro Manila, Philippines – “Verbena” (international name: Koto) has strengthened into a severe tropical storm as it moves farther west, weather bureau PAGASA said on Wednesday noon, Nov. 26.
In its 11 a.m. bulletin, PAGASA said Signal No. 1 is up in the Kalayaan Islands, while weather specialist Benison Estareja added it may remain so until Thursday.
“Asahan pa rin ‘yong trough or outer part nitong si bagyong Verbena makakaapekto pa rin in some areas of Mimaropa, Calabarzon, as well as Zambales and Bataan,” Estareja said in a briefing.
[Translation: Expect the trough of Severe Tropical Storm Verbena to affect weather in some areas of Mimaropa, Calabarzon, as well as Zambales and Bataan.]
“Verbena” was 375 kilometers (km) west of Coron, Palawan, with maximum sustained winds of 95 km per hour (kph) and gustiness of up to 115 kph.
PAGASA said “Verbena” may reach typhoon category over the West Philippine Sea. It will leave the Philippine Area of Responsibility by Wednesday evening or Thursday.
Estareja said a shear line, where warm and cold air meet, will bring heavy to intense rains over Cagayan and Apayao, and moderate to heavy rains over Isabela, Kalinga, and Aurora.
The northeast monsoon, or amihan, characterized by cooler winds and drier air, will impact other parts of northern Luzon.
