Pagasa: Falcon intensifies into severe tropical storm

Pagasa says Falcon was last seen 1,190 kilometers (km) east of Northern Luzon moving 15 kilometers per hour (kph) and carrying maximum sustained winds of 95 kph and gusts of up to 115 kph. (Photo courtesy of Pagasa)

MANILA, Philippines — Tropical Storm Falcon (international name: Khanun) has developed into a severe tropical storm as it moves north-northwestward over the Philippine Sea, the state weather bureau said on Sunday.

In its 5 a.m. weather bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration’s (Pagasa) said Falcon was last seen 1,190 kilometers (km) east of Northern Luzon moving 15 kilometers per hour (kph) and carrying maximum sustained winds of 95 kph and gusts of up to 115 kph.

According to Pagasa, Falcon has enhanced the southwest monsoon or “habagat,” which will bring occasional monsoon rains over the western portions of Luzon and Visayas in the next three days.

The state weather bureau added that it would unlikely hoist a wind signal in any parts of the country, but Falcon may bring gusty conditions in Zambales, Bataan, Pampanga, Bulacan, Metro Manila, Occidental Mindoro, Palawan, Romblon, Northern Samar, and most of Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon), Bicol Region and Western Visayas on Sunday.

“Falcon is forecast to move north-northwestward today, then turn northwestward tomorrow. On the track forecast, the tropical storm may exit the Philippine area of responsibility tomorrow evening or on Tuesday early morning,”

It is expected to intensify within the next three days steadily and may become a typhoon between late evening today or tomorrow early morning and reach its peak intensity on Tuesday.

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