VERBENA EXPECTED TO REACH SEVERE STRENGTH DESPITE MOVING AWAY

Tropical Storm Verbena continued to intensify on Wednesday, Nov. 26, and could reach severe tropical storm strength by the afternoon, PAGASA said.

The storm had maximum sustained winds of 85 kph and gusts up to 105 kph, moving west-northwest at 25 kph, about 130 kilometers west of Coron, Palawan.

Gale-force winds prompted Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2 over the Calamian Islands and northern Palawan, while Signal No. 1 was raised over parts of Mindoro, Palawan, and nearby islands.

Verbena, combined with the northeast monsoon, is expected to bring gusty conditions to most of Luzon and parts of the Visayas, including Aklan, Antique, Capiz, and Negros Occidental.

The storm is forecast to pass north of the Kalayaan Islands before exiting the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Thursday, with rough seas continuing along northern and western seaboards.

Source: PhilNews24 | November 27, 2025