Severe Tropical Storm Verbena Strengthens, Approaching Exit from Philippine Area

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) reported that tropical storm "Verbena" escalated into a severe tropical storm as of yesterday morning. According to the 5 p.m. bulletin, only the Kalayaan Islands remain under Wind Signal No. 1.

Verbena, identified as the 22nd tropical cyclone of the year affecting the country, first formed as a tropical depression on Monday morning. It subsequently made landfall in Surigao del Sur that afternoon and intensified into a tropical storm by Tuesday.

By 4 p.m. yesterday, Verbena was located approximately 230 kilometers northwest of Pag-asa Island in Kalayaan, Palawan. The system was moving westward at 15 kilometers per hour, with maximum sustained winds reaching 95 kilometers per hour near its center and gusts up to 115 kilometers per hour.

PAGASA forecasts that Verbena will exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility by Wednesday night or Thursday morning. The storm is expected to continue strengthening over the next 48 hours due to conducive environmental conditions. However, the agency noted that the approaching northeast monsoon surge will likely initiate a slight weakening trend throughout the remainder of the forecast period.

"Afterwards, the surge of the northeast monsoon will result in a slight weakening trend for the rest of the forecast period," PAGASA stated. While Verbena continues to pose a threat, authorities are closely monitoring its progress as the storm moves away from Philippine territory.