Tropical Storm Carina intensifies; heavy rains expected

MANILA, Philippines — Tropical Storm Carina (international name: Gaemi) has slightly intensified as it continues to traverse the Philippine Sea on Sunday.

Carina was last located 350 kilometers east of Casiguran, Aurora, carrying peak winds of 85 kilometers per hour near the center, gustiness of up to 115 kph and central pressure of 996 hPa.

The storm is moving westward at 20 kph, with strong to gale-force winds extending up to 320 kilometers from the center.

No wind signals have been hoisted. 

But PAGASA warned of heavy rainfall, "potentially leading to flooding and landslides, especially in elevated or mountainous regions." The projected rainfall is as follows:

Wind Signal No. 1 might be raised over extreme northern Luzon and northeastern Cagayan by Sunday night or Monday. 

The enhanced southwest monsoon, influenced by Carina and Tropical Depression Butchoy, is expected to bring strong to gale-force gusts  from Sunday until Wednesday over the following areas: 

In the next 24 hours, Carina and the enhanced southwest monsoon will cause moderate seas over the coastal waters of northern Luzon (1.0-2.5 meters), central and southern Luzon’s western seaboards (1.5-2.5 meters), and the eastern seaboard of the country (1.0-2.5 meters). 

"Mariners using small vessels are advised to take precautionary measures and avoid sailing under these conditions," PAGASA said.

Carina is expected to move north-northwestward until Tuesday, staying far from the Philippine landmass. 

"It is forecast to become a severe tropical storm by tonight (Sunday night) and reach typhoon category tomorrow (Monday) evening," PAGASA said. 

"Rapid intensification within the forecast period is possible," it added.

It is expected to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) by Wednesday night or early Thursday, then approach the Ryukyu archipelago and move northwest over the East China Sea. 

Carina is the third tropical cyclone to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility this year.

Forecast position