'Queenie' intensifies into a tropical storm, heads towards Caraga, Eastern Visayas area


Tropical depression Queenie intensified into a tropical storm on Monday, Oct. 31, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said.

(Photo courtesy of DOST-PAGASA)

In its latest bulletin, PAGASA said that the center of Tropical Storm Queenie was estimated 815 kilometers East of Northeastern Mindanao. Queenie packs maximum sustained winds of 65 km per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 80 kph. It is currently moving west-southwestward at 10 kph.

The state weather bureau said that Queenie is unlikely to directly affect the country until Tuesday. However, light to moderate with at times heavy rains possible over Caraga, Eastern Visayas, and Bicol Region beginning Wednesday.

"Based on the latest forecast scenario, Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) may be hoisted over the eastern portion of Caraga and in some areas in Eastern Visayas tomorrow evening at the earliest," PAGASA said.

On the other hand, PAGASA mentioned that in the next 24 hours, Queenie is less likely to bring rough seas over the country's coastal waters, which may result in risky conditions for mariners.

Queenie is forecasted to track westward in the next 12 hours before turning generally west-northwestward by Tuesday through Wednesday morning. By Wednesday afternoon, this storm will begin to move generally northwestward towards the Caraga-Eastern Visayas area.

The state weather bureau stated that it may further intensify in the next 12 hours. However, a weakening trend is likely by Tuesday evening or Wednesday.