Tropical Storm Verbena nears Palawan, may intensify to severe tropical storm

Tropical Storm Verbena intensified and was approaching Palawan's Calamian Islands and northern mainland, with Signal No. 2 raised over these areas and Signal No. 1 over other parts of Luzon and Visayas.

As of Tuesday evening, Verbena had maximum sustained winds of 65 km/h and gustiness of up to 80 km/h, moving west northwestward at 20 km/h.

The storm was expected to make landfall over northern Palawan Tuesday evening and emerge over the West Philippine Sea by early Wednesday morning.

It was forecast to intensify into a severe tropical storm before exiting the Philippine Area of Responsibility early Thursday morning.

Verbena could bring intense rainfall of up to 200 millimeters in MIMAROPA through Wednesday noon, while the shear line brings heavy rains to Luzon through Friday, with risks of flooding and landslides.

By Tuesday night, Verbena had slightly strengthened to 75 km/h with gustiness of up to 105 km/h, and was moving northwestward at 15 km/h over the coastal waters of Linapacan, Palawan.

It may reach severe tropical storm category as early as Wednesday and continue to intensify until Thursday before a weakening trend due to the Northeast Monsoon.