PAGASA: Paeng seen as tropical storm on Thursday, typhoon by Saturday

Tropical Depression Paeng has maintained its strength over the Philippine Sea, state weather bureau PAGASA reported Wednesday evening.

According to its 11 p.m. severe weather bulletin, PAGASA said Paeng is forecast to intensify into a tropical storm on Thursday.

It may reach typhoon category by Saturday as “further intensification is likely while moving over the Philippine Sea.”

Landfall at or near peak intensity is increasingly likely, it added.

As of 10 p.m., Paeng was located 725 km east of Borongan City, Eastern Samar, with maximum sustained winds of 45 km/h near the center, gustiness of up to 55 km/h, and central pressure of 1004 hPa.

It was moving west southwestward at 15 km/h.

It also had strong winds that extended outwards up to 460 km from the center.

Still, no tropical cyclone wind signal (TCWS) has been hoisted in any area.

However, PAGASA said TCWS may be hoisted in some areas in Eastern Visayas and Bicol Region by Thursday morning at the earliest.

Per latest track and intensity forecast, the highest wind signal that will likely be hoisted is Wind Signal No. 4, it added.—NB, GMA News