Signal No.1 raised over 3 Bicol provinces

The weather bureau on Sunday morning raised Signal No. 1 over Catanduanes, Albay and Camarines Sur that lie in the direct path of tropical storm “Pedring’’ which intensified over East Philippine Sea.

“These areas should expect stormy weather tonight,’’ said forecaster Aldczar Aurelio of the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration.

“Pedring,’’ packing maximum winds of 95 kilometers per hour, and gustiness of 120 kph, would also enhance the southwest monsoon to bring moderate to heavy rain and strong winds over the western section of Southern Luzon, including Metro Manila, and Visayas, he said.

As of 10 a.m. Sunday, the storm was swirling westward at 22 kph over the East Philippine Sea, some 600 km east northeast of Virac, Catanduanes, toward northern Luzon, where it’s expected to make a landfall Tuesday morning, Aurelio said.

“It’s over the sea, so it’s expected to intensify into a typhoon,’’ he said by phone.

At 4 a.m. Sunday, the storm had maximum winds of 85 kph and gustiness of 100 kph.