Tropical Storm Verbena (TS Verbena) continued its intensifying track this Wednesday, with weather officials forecasting a possible upgrade to a Severe Tropical Storm category later in the day, even as it moves away from the Philippine landmass.
In its 5 a.m. bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Verbena was last located 130 kilometers west of Coron, Palawan.
The storm is currently packing maximum sustained winds of 85 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 105 kph, moving west-northwestward at 25 kph.
While Verbena moves away from the country, strong winds persist across parts of Palawan. Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2 remains hoisted over the Calamian Islands and the extreme northern portion of mainland Palawan, specifically the municipalities of El Nido and Taytay, where gale-force winds are expected.
Signal No. 1 is also in effect for Occidental Mindoro and the northern and central portions of Palawan, including Dumaran, Roxas, San Vicente, Puerto Princesa City, Cuyo, and Kalayaan Islands.
PAGASA warned that the combination of Verbena and the northeast monsoon (amihan) will continue to bring gusty conditions to a large portion of Luzon, as well as Aklan, Antique, Capiz, and Negros Occidental. Furthermore, a gale warning is in effect over the seaboards of northern Luzon and the western seaboard of southern Luzon.
The cyclone is expected to pass north of the Kalayaan Islands within Wednesday before it is forecast to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) by Thursday.