Tropical Storm Verbena intensified further early Wednesday as it continued to move west northwestward over the West Philippine Sea, according to PAGASA.

As of 4:00 a.m., the storm’s center was estimated 130 km west of Coron, Palawan, packing maximum sustained winds of 85 km/h near the center and gusts of up to 105 km/h.

It is moving west northwest at 25 km/h with strong to gale-force winds extending up to 300 km from the center.

PAGASA raised Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 2 over the Calamian Islands and the extreme northern portion of mainland Palawan, including El Nido and Taytay.

Meanwhile Signal No. 1 is in effect over the following areas:

• Occidental Mindoro
• northern and central Palawan: Dumaran, Roxas, San Vicente, Puerto Princesa City, Cuyo and Kalayaan Islands.

PAGASA said heavy rainfall may occur due to the combined effects of the shear line and Verbena. Strong to gale-force gusts may also affect most of Luzon, Aklan, Antique, Capiz, and Negros Occidental today even in areas not under wind signals.

By Wednesday, gusty conditions are expected across Batanes, Cagayan, Isabela, the Cordillera region, Ilocos Region, Zambales, Bataan, Metro Manila, Cavite, Occidental Mindoro, and Palawan.

A Gale Warning remains in effect over the seaboards of Northern Luzon and the western seaboard of Southern Luzon. Sea travel is considered risky, with waves reaching:

• Up to 6.0 meters: Batanes, Babuyan Islands, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur

• Up to 5.0 meters: Kalayaan Islands, northern Cagayan

• Up to 4.5 meters: Ilocos Region, northern Cagayan, and western seaboards of northern Palawan and Calamian Islands

PAGASA advised all mariners and operators of small vessels to stay in port or avoid sea travel.

Verbena is expected to continue moving west northwestward, passing north of Kalayaan Islands later today before exiting the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) by Thursday morning.

It may intensify into a severe tropical storm later today and continue strengthening until Thursday, before weakening due to the Northeast Monsoon.

Authorities urged residents, especially those in high-risk areas, to take precautionary measures and follow evacuation instructions from local officials.