‘Marce’ may intensify into typhoon — PAGASA

Metro Manila, Philippines — Tropical Storm Marce further intensified as it moved west northwest over the Philippine Sea, the state weather bureau said mid-Monday, Nov. 4.

In its 5 p.m. bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said "Marce" may be classified as a severe tropical storm by Monday evening or Tuesday morning, and may further strengthen to a typhoon by Tuesday evening or early Wednesday morning.

PAGASA said the lowest storm alert may be raised in areas of Cagayan by Monday evening or Tuesday morning.

“Marce” may strengthen northeasterly winds this week, bringing rain to extreme northern Luzon and eastern Luzon.

The northeasterly wind may bring strong to gale-force gusts over Batanes, Cagayan including Babuyan Islands, Isabela, Ilocos Norte, Aurora, and the northern portion of Quezon.

Spotted 740 kilometers (km) east of Virac, Catanduanes, "Marce" has maximum sustained winds of 85 km per hour (kph) and gustiness of up to 105 kph.

The tropical cyclone may hit land around Babuyan Islands or mainland northern Cagayan on Thursday evening or early Friday morning.

"Due to uncertainty in the strength of the high pressure area north of 'Marce,’ the forecast track may still change and bring the landfall point to mainland Cagayan-Isabela area," PAGASA said.