Igme intensifies into severe tropical storm

MANILA, Philippines — Tropical storm Igme (international name: Bavi) intensified into a severe tropical storm, the state weather bureau said Saturday.

In its 5 p.m. weather update, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said that Igme is also expected to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility between 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday.

The severe tropical storm is also expected to reach typhoon category within the next 48 hours.

Igme was last spotted at 500 kilometers north northeast of Basco, Batanes.

Pagasa said that Igme packed maximum sustained winds of 95 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center, and gustiness of up to 115 kph.

The severe tropical storm was also monitored moving north northeastward at 20 kph.

State meteorologists said that intermittent gusts may be experienced over Batanes and Babuyan Islands due to the southwest monsoon or Habagat slightly enhanced by Igme.

The Habagat will also bring light to moderate with at times heavy rains over Batanes, Babuyan Islands, Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, Zambales, and Bataan.

CFC