'Falcon' likely to escalate into a typhoon

Planet Philippines (Full Attribution Below)

Jul 30

Severe Tropical Storm Falcon will likely reach typhoon category either late Sunday night or early Monday morning, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said.

In its 11 a.m. advisory, Pagasa said "Falcon" is moving north-northwest with maximum sustained winds of 95 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 115 kph.

Forecast to steadily intensify in the next three days, the severe tropical storm was estimated some 1,180 kms east of Northern Luzon.

"On the track forecast, the tropical storm may exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility Monday evening or early Tuesday morning," the weather bureau said.

The southwest monsoon enhanced by "Falcon" will bring rain especially in the western portions of Luzon and Visayas in the next three days but Pagasa said no typhoon signal will likely be raised.