Typhoon Queenie slightly intensifies, to exit PAR Sunday - GMA Network

Typhoon Queenie (international name: Surigae) slightly intensified as it accelerated north-northeastward over the sea east of Taiwan early Sunday, but it is unlikely to directly affect the Philippines, PAGASA said.

In its 5 a.m. bulletin, the state weather bureau said the center of Queenie was estimated at 685 kilometers northeast of Itbayat, Batanes, at 4 a.m.

Queenie was moving north-northeastward at 15 kilometers per hour, with maximum sustained winds of 130 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 160 km/h.

No Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal is currently in effect.

PAGASA said Queenie will generally move northeastward over the majority of the forecast period and may exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility between noon and afternoon on Sunday.

Once outside the PAR, the typhoon is expected to accelerate northeastward toward the sea south of mainland Japan.

The weather bureau said Queenie would further intensify while moving over the sea south of the Okinawa Islands before reaching peak intensity. It is expected to begin weakening by Monday, Sept. 28.

Queenie is not expected to directly affect any land area in the Philippines throughout the forecast period.

However, PAGASA said moderate seas of up to 2 meters may prevail over the northern seaboard of Batanes within the next 24 hours.

Mariners of motorbancas and similarly sized vessels were advised to take precautionary measures while venturing out to sea and, if possible, avoid navigating under these conditions.

Other coastal waters are expected to have wave heights of less than 2 meters.

By 2 p.m. Sunday, Queenie is forecast to be 840 kilometers northeast of extreme Northern Luzon, already outside the PAR. — MCG/KG, GMA News