Tropical storm Emong intensifies, Signal No. 1 hoisted over 7 Luzon areas

Tropical Cyclone Emong has intensified into a tropical storm, prompting PAGASA to hoist Signal No. 1 over seven Luzon areas: Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, northern and western Pangasinan, Apayao, Abra, and Benguet.

As of Wednesday afternoon, Emong was located 150 km west of Laoag City, Ilocos Norte, with maximum sustained winds of 65 kph and gusts of up to 80 kph.

The tropical storm is currently moving southwestward at 20 kph and is forecast to reach severe tropical storm category.

Emong is expected to make landfall over Ilocos Sur, La Union, or Pangasinan on Thursday evening or early Friday morning.

It will emerge over the Luzon Strait on Friday afternoon after crossing Northern Luzon, which is expected to weaken it back into a tropical storm.

Emong is forecast to move generally southwestward tonight before looping over the West Philippine Sea tomorrow morning through afternoon, then move generally northeastward while accelerating.