Luis intensifies into Tropical Storm with no direct effect on weather condition

Tropical Depression Luis intensifies into a Tropical Storm while moving in the north northwest direction over the Philippine Sea, according to the Tropical Cyclone Bulletin posted by PAGASA late Wednesday evening.

The center of Tropical Storm Luis was estimated at 1,000 kilometers east northeast of extreme Northern Luzon packing maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour near the center, gustiness of up to 80 km/h, and central pressure of 1000 hPa.

Luis is moving north northwestward at the speed of 25 km/h with strong winds extending outwards up to 290 km from the center.

No active storm signal was raised over any areas in the Philippines.

"Tropical Storm Luis is unlikely to directly affect the weather condition in the country within the forecast period," PAGASA said, adding that "it remains unlikely to bring rough seas over the coastal waters of the country which may result to risky conditions to mariners."

Track and Intensity Outlook

PAGASA also reported that Tropical Storm Luis is forecast to continue moving north northwestward or northward through Thursday morning before turning generally northeastward for the remainder of the forecast period.

Luis is expected to exit the northern limit of the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) Thursday morning and further intensification may occur as it moves over the sea east of the Ryukyu Islands in Japan. -- with Sundy Locus/BAP, GMA News