Tropical Storm Paeng intensifies into typhoon

MANILA, Philippines - Tropical Storm Paeng (international name Nuri) intensified into a typhoon yesterday but is still not expected to directly affect the country, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said.

The state weather bureau said Paeng is unlikely to make landfall in any part of the country. However, it will enhance the northeasterly winds, which will generate “rough to very rough” sea conditions over the eastern seaboard of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao in the next days.

“Fisherfolk and those using small seacraft are advised not to venture out to the (eastern) seaboard,” PAGASA said in an advisory.

As of 4 p.m. yesterday, Paeng’s eye was spotted at 1,120 kilometers east of Casigura, Aurora, packing winds of 175 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 210 kph.

It was forecast to move north-northwest at 13 kph.

Paeng is predicted to be at 1,115 km east of Aparri, Cagayan this morning and 1,290 km east of Itbayat, Batanes tomorrow morning.

PAGASA said Paeng will exit the Philippine area of responsibility tomorrow afternoon.

By Wednesday morning, it will be located at 1,600 km east northeast of Itbayat.

PAGASA said the Bicol region, Eastern Visayas, Northern Mindanao, Caraga and the provinces of Palawan, Batangas and Quezon will have cloudy skies with light to moderate rain showers and thunderstorms in the next 24 hours.