Tropical Depression Goring has intensified into a tropical storm while over the Philippine Sea, East of Basco, Batanes, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said on Thursday.
In its 5 PM bulletin, PAGASA said Tropical Storm Goring was last spotted 265 kilometers East of Basco Batanes, packing maximum sustained winds of 75 kilometers (km) near the center and gustiness of up to 90 km.
It is traveling Northwestward at the speed of 10 km per hour (kph).
"GORING is forecast track west southwestward before turning generally southward while over the waters of the eastern coast of Cagayan Valley," PAGASA said.
The state weather bureau said its forecast showed that the Goring will steadily intensify and reach the severe tropical storm category in the next 36 hours.
PAGASA added that Goring may further develop into a typhoon by Saturday.
"While current intensity forecast indicate the progression towards typhoon category, the inherent volatility of attaining super typhoon category remains a possibility," PAGASA noted.
The state weather bureau advised mariners of motorbancas and other similar-sized vessels in ExtremeNorthern Luzon and the northeastern portion of mainland Cagayan to take precautions as Goring may bring moderate to rough seas in the next 24 hours.
PAGASA restated that Goring may not bring heavy rains in some parts of the country.
But it said portions of Cagayan Valley may experience heavy rainfall once the tropical storm shifts westward.
"As such, the public and disaster managers are advised to continue monitoring for updates," the state weather bureau said.
The hoisting of the Tropical Cyclone Wind Signals (TCWS) over areas in Northern Luzon is likely, it said.
