‘Nina’ slightly intensifies; Signal No. 1 up in 6 provinces

Severe Tropical Storm ‘Nina’ intensifies.

Severe Tropical Storm “Nina” has slightly intensified as it continues to move in a west northwest direction, the state weather agency said on Friday night.

In its 11 p.m. bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said the center of the storm was estimated based on all available data at 570 km east Northeast of Borongan City, Eastern Samar (12.8 °N, 130.5 °E).

With maximum sustained winds of 115 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 145 kph, Nina was forecast to move west northwest at 19 kilometers per hour.

Pagasa said the storm is expected to intensify further before making landfall.

It is expected to make landfall over Catanduanes by Sunday, Christmas Day, in the afternoon or evening.

Sea travel is risky over the Seaboards of Northern Luzon, the agency warned.

Signal No.1 was hoisted over Camarines Sur, Albay, Catanduanes, Sorsogon, Northern Samar and Eastern Samar.