Queenie slightly accelerates, may exit PAR on Friday

Typhoon Queenie (international name:Kong-Rey) has slightly accelerated and intensified as it tracks the west northwest direction, state weather bureau PAGASA said on Tuesday.

As of 10 a.m., PAGASA located Queenie's eye at 1,130 kilometers east of Tuguegarao City, Cagayan, packing maximum sustained winds of 200 kilometers per hour and gustiness of up to 245 kilometers per hour.

PAGASA said Queenie is moving west northwest at 20 kilometers per hour.

The weather agency said Queenie's further intensification is possible in the next 24 to 36 hours. However, it is not expected to make landfall in any part of the Philippines and that there will be no raising of Tropical Cyclone Warning Signals (TCWS).

Light to at times moderate rains over the eastern section of the country, meanwhile, is possible due to the trough of the typhoon and isolated thunderstorms over most parts of the country.

PAGASA also warned that strong to gale force winds may prevail over Northern Luzon; therefore, small sea vessels are advised not to venture out to the sea.

It added that Queenie may leave the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Friday, October 5. — RSJ, GMA News