Queenie now a tropical storm, to bring rains starting Wednesday — PAGASA

Tropical Depression Queenie has intensified into a tropical storm on Monday morning, state weather bureau PAGASA said.

“Queenie intensified into a tropical storm at 8:00 a.m. today. It may further intensify in the next 12 hours,” PAGASA said in its 11 a.m. bulletin.

However, PAGASA said Queenie is unlikely to directly affect the country until Tuesday.

Queenie was last spotted 815 kilometers east of northeastern Mindanao, packing maximum sustained winds of 65 km per hour, gustiness of up to 80 km/h, and central pressure of 1000 hPa.

It is moving west southwestward at 10 km/h, PAGASA said.

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal may be raised over the eastern portion of Caraga and in some areas in Eastern Visayas Tuesday evening at the earliest, PAGASA said. The most likely highest TCWS that would be hoisted is Signal No. 1.

Queenie is forecast to track westward in the next 12 hours before turning generally west northwestward tomorrow through Wednesday morning. By Wednesday afternoon, Queenie will begin to move generally northwestward towards Caraga-Eastern Visayas area.

Light to moderate with at times heavy rains possible over Caraga, Eastern Visayas, and Bicol Region beginning Wednesday.

According to PAGASA, Queenie may weaken Tuesday evening or Wednesday. “Weakening into a remnant low is likely on Friday as it approaches Caraga or Eastern Visayas,” it added. — RSJ, GMA News