Photo credit: DOST-PAGASA

The weather bureau is keeping a close eye on Severe Tropical Storm Fung-Wong, which is getting stronger as it moves closer to the Philippines — and once it enters the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), it will be given the local name “Uwan.”

As of 10 a.m. Friday (Nov. 7), PAGASA said the storm’s center was spotted 1,315 km east of Eastern Visayas, still outside PAR. It’s packing maximum sustained winds of 100 km/h and gusts reaching 125 km/h, while moving west northwestward at 20 km/h.

But here’s what’s worrying forecasters — Uwan is intensifying fast. PAGASA expects it to strengthen into a typhoon within 24 hours, and possibly reach super typhoon status by Saturday night or Sunday morning.

Once inside PAR, Uwan is forecast to make landfall between southern Isabela and northern Aurora on Sunday night or early Monday morning before crossing Northern Luzon and exiting toward the West Philippine Sea.

Residents are urged to stay alert, as Signal No. 5 — the highest tropical cyclone warning — may be raised in parts of Northern and Central Luzon. Stormy weather could begin as early as Sunday, with life-threatening winds, intense rainfall, and storm surges possible through Monday and Tuesday.

Meanwhile, the seas are expected to turn rough to very rough, especially along the northern and eastern coasts of Luzon, and the eastern seaboards of Visayas and Mindanao. PAGASA may issue Gale Warnings as early as tomorrow.