MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) on Friday said that a tropical storm, named “Hagupit,” continues to intensify, as it moves west-northwestward.
In its 11 a.m. bulletin, the weather bureau said the storm remained outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), but it is 1,460 kilometers east of Northeastern Mindanao, with maximum sustained winds of 85 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center, gustiness of up to 105 kph.
The present movement of the storm is westward at 20 kph, with strong to gale force winds extending outwards up to 280 km near the center.
No storm signals have been hoisted, but the storm is forecast to move west-northwestward during the majority of the forecast period and will remain over the Philippine Sea, said the weather bureau.
However, it is set to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Saturday afternoon or evening and will be given the localized name “Caloy.”
The weather bureau said it could reach the category of a severe tropical storm, but it could weaken on Saturday because of an “unfavorable environment” and would further be downgraded to a tropical depression on Monday next week until it becomes a low pressure area on Wednesdsay next week.
“Hagupit is less likely to directly affect the weather and sea conditions in the next 3 days,” the weather bureau noted in its bulletin.
