Severe Tropical Storm Verbena Intensifies, Threatens Palawan islands
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The severe tropical storm Verbena is currently traversing the West philippine Sea (WPS), prompting warnings for residents of the Kalayaan Islands in Palawan, according to the national weather agency. The storm’s intensification underscores the ongoing challenges posed by the typhoon season in the Philippines.
A senior weather official stated on Wednesday that Verbena has strengthened into a severe tropical storm, packing maximum sustained winds of 95 kilometers per hour (kph) with gusts reaching up to 115 kph. As of Wednesday afternoon, the storm was located approximately 375 kilometers (kms) west of Coron, Palawan, or 310 kms east-northeast of Pag-asa Island, Kalayaan.
current Status and Projected Path
Currently, onyl the Kalayaan Islands remain under Signal No. 1.The storm is moving westward at a speed of 35 kph and is expected to continue on a westward or west-northwestward trajectory, passing north of the Kalayaan Islands.
According to forecasts, Verbena is anticipated to exit the Philippine Area of Duty tonight or early Thursday morning.However, the weather agency also predicts a shift in the storm’s intensity.
Potential for Typhoon Status and Subsequent Weakening
While Verbena is expected to reach typhoon category on Thursday due to favorable atmospheric conditions, it will likely weaken and be downgraded back to a tropical storm. This is attributed to the anticipated surge of the northeast monsoon, locally known as “amihan.”
“The storm is forecast to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility tonight or early Thursday morning,” a senior official explained. This weakening trend offers a degree of reassurance, but continued monitoring remains crucial.
The interplay between Verbena and the amihan will be a key factor in determining the storm’s ultimate impact on the region.
Verbena developed as a tropical depression east of the Philippines on November 19th. It rapidly intensified as it moved westward, fueled by warm waters in the West Philippine Sea. The Kalayaan Islands, a group of islands and reefs administered by the Philippines, were placed under Signal no. 1, indicating winds of 30-60 kph, prompting local authorities to prepare for potential disruptions.
The storm reached its peak intensity Wednesday evening, prompting PAGASA to upgrade it to a severe tropical storm. The anticipated interaction with the amihan, a cold and dry air mass from siberia, began to influence Verbena’s track and intensity. This interaction caused the storm to slow down and begin to weaken as it approached the northern limits of the Philippine Area of Responsibility.
By Thursday morning, Verbena had been downgraded to a tropical storm and exited the Philippine Area of Responsibility, moving towards the South China Sea. While the storm did not directly impact major landmasses in the Philippines, it served as a reminder of the country’s vulnerability to tropical cyclones. no casualties or major damage were reported, largely due to proactive preparations and the storm’s relatively swift passage. The storm ultimately dissipated over the South China Sea, posing no further threat to the region.
