Severe Tropical Storm Verbena continued to flex stability on Wednesday, maintaining its intensity while cruising westward over the West Philippine Sea. As of 4:00 p.m., the system’s core was spotted 230 km northeast of Pag-asa Island in Kalayaan, Palawan, sustaining peak winds of 95 km/h and gusts reaching 115 km/h, with a central pressure of 990 hPa. The storm pushed forward at a steady 15 km/h, extending strong to storm-force winds up to 450 km from its center—an operational signal for stakeholders across impacted regions to stay aligned.
With Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 hoisted over the Kalayaan Islands, residents can expect strong winds within 36 hours. While impacts are projected to be minimal to minor, localized gusts may amplify in elevated or coastal terrain as the Northeast Monsoon teams up with Verbena. This combination will whip up breezy to gale-force conditions across multiple regions, including the Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Metro Manila, CALABARZON, Occidental Mindoro, and Palawan, extending through Friday over Northern Luzon.
From a maritime operations standpoint, risk exposure remains high. A Gale Warning has been issued for the seaboards of Northern Luzon and western Southern Luzon, with sea conditions expected to peak at 5.5 meters off Batanes, Ilocos Norte, and Ilocos Sur. The Kalayaan Islands and mainland Cagayan may experience waves up to 5 meters, while rough seas across several Luzon and Visayas coastlines demand a full stop on all small vessel departures. Mariners already at sea are strongly advised to secure a safe harbor as soon as possible.
Looking ahead, Verbena is projected to continue its westward to west-northwestward path, skirting north of the Kalayaan Islands before potentially exiting the Philippine Area of Responsibility late Wednesday or early Thursday. A slowdown is anticipated once the system moves further into the West Philippine Sea, with a gradual intensification still likely within the next 48 hours. By Friday, increased monsoon interaction may spark slight weakening, although the system’s overall footprint will remain significant throughout the forecast period.
Meanwhile, General Flood Advisories remain active across several regions, including Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, Bicol Region, Eastern Visayas, and Western Visayas, as localized heavy rains continue to pose operational challenges.
As agencies synchronize efforts and communities stay vigilant, Verbena’s evolving trajectory underscores the importance of proactive preparedness amid peak monsoon dynamics.