Tropical Storm Verbena Strengthens, Approaching Severe Category

Tropical Storm Verbena, which intensified late Tuesday, is expected to further strengthen and potentially reach the severe tropical storm classification by Wednesday afternoon, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

As of 5 a.m. Wednesday, Verbena was recorded to have maximum sustained winds of 85 kilometers per hour near its center, with gusts reaching up to 105 kph. The storm was located approximately 130 kilometers west of Coron, Palawan, advancing west-northwest at a speed of 25 kph.

PAGASA issued Signal No. 2 warnings for the Calamian Islands and the northernmost parts of mainland Palawan, including areas such as El Nido and Taytay, where gale-force winds are expected.

Signal No. 1 has been raised for Occidental Mindoro, the northern and central sections of Palawan—which cover Dumaran, Roxas, San Vicente, and Puerto Princesa City—as well as the Cuyo and Kalayaan Islands, indicating the presence of strong winds.

The weather bureau also noted that the combined effect of Verbena and the northeast monsoon, locally known as "amihan," will produce gusty conditions across most of Luzon, and in the provinces of Aklan, Antique, Capiz, and Negros Occidental.

Gale warnings remain active over the coastal waters of northern Luzon and the western seaboard of southern Luzon.

Forecasts indicate the storm will pass north of the Kalayaan Islands during the day and is expected to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility by Thursday.