Tropical storm ‘Fung-Wong’ intensifies, may enter par as #UwanPH by Friday

Tropical Storm Fung-Wong has slightly intensified as it continues to move northwestward near Yap, Micronesia, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) reported Thursday morning.

As of 10 a.m., the center of Fung-Wong was located 1,690 kilometers east of northeastern Mindanao, packing maximum sustained winds of 75 kilometers per hour near the center and gusts of up to 90 kph. It is currently moving northwestward at 10 kph.

PAGASA said the storm is expected to strengthen further and may reach typhoon category by Friday, and could intensify into a super typhoon by Saturday. Once it enters the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) by late Friday or early Saturday, it will be locally named Uwan.

The weather bureau warned that there is an increasing likelihood of landfall over Northern or Central Luzon by Monday, November 10, at or near its peak intensity.

Residents and local disaster management offices are advised to prepare for possible severe weather conditions starting Sunday, with potentially life-threatening winds and heavy rainfall expected over Northern and portions of Central Luzon early next week.

Wind signals may be raised as early as Friday evening or Saturday morning, particularly over the eastern portions of Luzon and Samar provinces. PAGASA said the highest possible warning level for the current forecast track is Signal No. 5.

Moderate to rough seas are also expected to develop over the northern and eastern seaboards of Luzon and the eastern seaboards of Visayas and Mindanao by Friday or Saturday. Gale warnings for very rough coastal waters may be issued by the weekend.

PAGASA urged the public to closely monitor its bulletins and advisories. The next update on Fung-Wong will be released at 11 p.m. Thursday.