Typhoon "Fabian" (international name "In-fa") has further intensified while moving westward slowly on Wednesday morning, July 21, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said in its 11 a.m. bulletin.
As of 10 a.m., the center of the eye of typhoon Fabian was estimated at 705 kilometers east-northeast of Itbayat, Batanes.
It has maximum sustained winds of 150 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 185 kph.
Fabian and a severe tropical storm with an international name "Cempaka" are continuously enhancing the southwest monsoon or "habagat."
Cempaka was estimated at 1,065 km west-northwest of extreme northern Luzon or outside the Philippine area of responsibility on Wednesday morning.
In the next 24 hours, light to moderate monsoon rains, which may become heavy during thunderstorms, will prevail over Metro Manila, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Abra, Apayao, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Batanes, Babuyan Islands, Zambales, Bataan, Tarlac, Pampanga, Bulacan, Cavite, Batangas, Occidental Mindoro, and the northern portion of Palawan, including Calamian and Kalayaan Islands.
Scattered rain showers and thunderstorms may also affect Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Iloilo, Guimaras, Negros Occidental, and the rest of Luzon.
Meanwhile, the rest of the country will experience partly cloudy to cloudy conditions with rain showers or thunderstorms.
PAGASA warned against possible flash floods or rain-induced landslides during heavy or prolonged rainfall, particularly in areas that are highly susceptible to these hazards.
Meanwhile, PAGASA said there remains a possibility that tropical cyclone wind signal number 1 may be hoisted over Batanes and Babuyan Islands.
Track intensity and outlook
Fabian will likely move westward until Thursday evening, July 22, and west-northwestward by Friday morning, July 23, then will begin to turn northwestward by Friday evening.
"On the forecast track, Fabian will pass close or make landfall in the vicinity of Yaeyama, Miyako, and Senkaku Islands of the Ryukyu archipelago on Friday before exiting the Philippine area of responsibility on Saturday morning (24 July)," PAGASA said.
Furthermore, PAGASA said that Fabian may further intensify and reach its peak intensity of 165 kph on Thursday.
"Gradual weakening may occur beginning on Saturday due to frictional effects of the rugged terrain of Taiwan. The landfall over mainland China will result in the rapid weakening of Fabian on Sunday (July 25)," it added.