'Falcon' maintains strength, to intensify habagat and monsoon rains

MANILA, Philippines — Tropical Storm Falcon decelerated on Saturday as it continues to move westward over the Philippine Sea, according to the latest PAGASA forecast.

The center of the tropical storm was estimated at 1,315 east of central Luzon, as of 10 a.m. on Saturday.

• Maximum sustained winds: 65 kilometers per hour near the center
• Gustiness: up to 80 kph
• Direction: west northwestward
• Movement: 15 kph

"[Falcon] is forecast to intensify within the next 3 days. It is forecast to become a typhoon tomorrow afternoon or evening and reach its peak intensity on late Monday or early Tuesday," said PAGASA.

"This tropical cyclone will remain over the Philippine Sea and far from the Philippine landmass throughout the forecast period," it added.

Falcon is forecast to move generally north northwestward on Saturday until Sunday until it turns northwestward on Monday. 

It may then exit the PAR region between Monday afternoon and evening.

"The hoisting of wind signal due to Falcon over any locality in the country remains unlikely based on the current forecast scenario," the state weather bureau said.

However, the southwest monsoon currently enhanced by Tropical Storm Egay (now over mainland China) will also be enhanced by Tropical Storm Falcon this weekend.

This will bring occassional monsoon rains over the western portions of Luzon and Visayas in the next three days.

It will also bring gusty conditions over the following areas on Saturday, especially in coastal and mountainous areas exposed to winds:

• Zambales
• Bataan
• Palawan
• Occidental Mindoro
• Romblon
• most of CALABARZON
• Bicol Region
• Western Visayas

"As Falcon continues to further consolidate its circulation, shifts in the track forecast remain possible in the succeeding advisories or bulletins," PAGASA said.