Tropical Depression Marce intensifies into a storm as it enters PAR

(Photo courtesy of Pagasa)

MANILA, Philippines — Tropical Depression Marce has intensified into a tropical storm as it entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility early Monday morning, according to the state weather bureau.

In its 5 a.m. bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said Marce was last monitored 935 kilometers east of Eastern Visayas.

It is packing maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour (kph) and gusts of up to 80 kph.

The storm is moving west-northwest at 25 kph.

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Pagasa said Marce may enhance the surge of northeasterly wind flow and may bring rain over extreme Northern Luzon and the eastern section of Luzon on Tuesday (November 5).

Aside from this, the northeasterly wind flow is also expected to bring strong to gale-force gusts over Batanes, Cagayan including Babuyan Islands, Isabela, Ilocos Norte, Aurora, and the northern portion of Quezon.

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 may also be hoisted over portions of Cagayan by Tuesday.

The highest wind signal that may be raised during the height of Marce is wind signal no. 4, Pagasa said.

“A westward shift in track is likely within the next 24 hours due to the high-pressure area north of Marce. As such, the landfall scenario may change from the Babuyan Islands down to the Isabela area,” the state weather service reported.

“This tropical cyclone is expected to gradually intensify and may reach severe tropical storm category by tomorrow (November 5) morning or afternoon,” it said.

“Furthermore, it may also reach the typhoon category by tomorrow evening or early Wednesday morning,” it added.