Typhoon "Fabian" (international name "In-fa") will likely leave the Philippine area of responsibility Friday afternoon or evening, July 23, but may continue to enhance the effect of the southwest monsoon or "habagat," 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 530 kilometers (km) northeast of Itbayat, Batanes.
It has maintained its maximum sustained winds of 150 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 185 kph while moving north at 10 kph.
It will further intensify in the next few hours and reach its peak intensity of 150-155 kph.
PAGASA said Fabian is expected to continue to pull the southwest monsoon into the country and trigger moderate to heavy with at times intense rains over Zambales, Bataan, and Occidental Mindoro.
Moderate to heavy monsoon rains may also affect Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Abra, Benguet, Tarlac, Pampanga, Cavite, and Batangas.
Meanwhile, light to moderate with at times heavy rains will prevail over Metro Manila, Apayao, Ifugao, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Bulacan, Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, and northern Palawan including Calamian and Kalayaan Islands.
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.
Tropical cyclone wind signal number 1 also remains hoisted over Batanes and Babuyan Islands due to strong winds from typhoon Fabian.
Likewise, occasionally gusty conditions associated with the enhanced southwest monsoon will likely affect the Visayas and the rest of Luzon, especially in the coastal and upland areas.
PAGASA said Fabian will pass close or make landfall in the vicinity of Miyako and Yaeyama Islands within the day.
After traversing the East China Sea, Fabian is projected to make another landfall over the eastern portion of mainland China on Sunday, July 25, or Monday, July 26.
A weakening trend in its intensity may begin on Sunday and will just be a tropical depression by Wednesday morning, July 28.