Manila: Severe Tropical Storm Fung-wong has further intensified as it moves over the Philippine Sea northeast of Palau, as reported by the weather bureau on Friday.

According to Philippines News Agency, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) stated in its 11 a.m. bulletin that the storm's center was estimated at 1,315 km east of Eastern Visayas, outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR). The storm is exhibiting maximum sustained winds of 100 kph near its center, with gustiness reaching up to 125 kph.

The tropical storm is moving in a west-northwestward direction at 20 kph and is projected to enter the PAR either late Friday evening or early Saturday morning. Upon entering, it will be named Uwan locally. PAGASA has indicated that the storm may rapidly intensify, potentially reaching typhoon status within 24 hours and could become a super typhoon by Saturday evening or Sunday morning.

Forecast models suggest a landfall over the southern part of Isabela or the northern part of Aurora late Sunday or early Monday, with the storm expected to cross Northern Luzon and emerge over the West Philippine Sea.

In anticipation of strong winds, tropical cyclone wind signals may be raised over areas including Southern Luzon, Eastern Visayas, and the Caraga Region as early as Friday afternoon or evening. The highest possible wind signal under the current forecast scenario is Signal No. 5.

PAGASA has warned that weather conditions are expected to worsen starting Sunday, with potentially life-threatening winds and heavy rains likely over northern and parts of central Luzon on Monday and Tuesday.