Tropical Storm ‘Falcon’ has intensified as it accelerated northward over the Philippine Sea and may develop into a typhoon by Sunday, the state weather bureau said Saturday.
In its latest weather bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said ‘Falcon’ is forecast to steadily intensify within the next three days.
PAGASA said ‘Falcon’ will move generally north-northwestward today in the next 36 hours. Then it will turn generally northwestward on Monday.
‘Falcon’ will remain over the Philippine Sea and far from the Philippine landmass throughout the forecast period.
It is forecast to exit the Philippine area of responsibility between Monday evening and Tuesday morning. It may reach its peak intensity on late Monday or early Tuesday.
Meanwhile, the hoisting of Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal due to ‘Falcon’ over any locality in the country remains unlikely based on the current forecast scenario of the state weather bureau.
However, the enhanced Southwest Monsoon will bring gusty conditions over the Zambales, Bataan, Palawan, Occidental Mindoro, Romblon, and most of Calabarzon, Bicol Region, and Western Visayas until Sunday.
On Monday, gusty conditions due to ‘Falcon’ will prevail in the Ilocos Norte, Pangasinan, Zambales, Bataan, Pampanga, Bulacan, Metro Manila, Occidental Mindoro, Palawan, Romblon, Northern Samar, and most of Calabarzon, Bicol Region and Western Visayas.
Under the influence of the enhanced Southwest Monsoon, PAGASA said a gale warning is in effect over several coastal waters along the western seaboard of Luzon, the eastern and southern seaboards of Southern Luzon, and the eastern and western seaboards of Visayas.
Hence, PAGASA warned traveling must be risky for small sea crafts. While the larger vessels, operating in gale conditions, must be required with experienced and properly equipped vessels.
Mariners without proper experience or operating ill-equipped vessels are advised to remain in port or seek safe harbor.
When outside PAR, PAGASA said ‘Falcon’ will turn west-northwestward, pass very close or make landfall in the Okinawa Islands of the Ryukyu Archipelago between Monday evening and Tuesday morning.
It will further move over the East China Sea towards the east coast of China.