'Verbena' now a severe tropical storm as it moves away from Philippines
Expected to exit PAR in coming hours
PAGASA
Tropical Storm Verbena (international name: Koto) intensified into a severe tropical storm while moving farther away from the Philippines on Wednesday, Nov. 26, prompting improving weather conditions in most parts of the country.
In its tropical cyclone bulletin issued at 11 a.m., the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Verbena now packs maximum sustained winds of 95 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 115 kph.
The center of Verbena was estimated at 375 kilometers west of Coron, Palawan, or 310 kilometers east-northeast of Pag-asa Island, Kalayaan, Palawan, as it moved westward at 35 kph.
On its current track, PAGASA said Verbena will continue moving westward or west northwestward over the West Philippine Sea Wednesday and pass north of Kalayaan Islands before leaving the Philippine area of responsibility on Wednesday evening or early Thursday morning, Nov. 27.
Only Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 remains hoisted over Kalayaan Islands as strong winds are still possible within the area.
Meanwhile, PAGASA warned that the shear line, the boundary where cold northeasterly winds meet warm easterly winds, will continue to bring heavy to intense rainfall of 100 to 200 millimeters over Cagayan until Saturday, Nov. 29.
Moderate to heavy rainfall of 50 to 100 millimeters may also persist in Isabela and Apayao during the same period.