Tropical Storm “Queenie” maintained its strength while over the Philippine Sea and could intensify into a typhoon by Sunday, Sept. 27, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

In its 5 a.m. Tropical Cyclone Bulletin, PAGASA said the center of Queenie was estimated at 1,065 kilometers east of Extreme Northern Luzon as of Friday.

Queenie is packing maximum sustained winds of 75 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 90 kph. It was moving west-northwestward at 20 kph.

No tropical cyclone wind signal is currently raised over any part of the country, and Queenie is not expected to directly affect the Philippines throughout the forecast period.

Track and Intensity Outlook

PAGASA said Queenie will generally move west-northwestward until Friday afternoon before shifting northwestward on Saturday morning.

By Saturday afternoon, the tropical cyclone is expected to slow down as it begins turning from northwestward to northeastward.

Based on the forecast track, Queenie is expected to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) between Sunday afternoon, September 27, and early Monday morning, September 28.

Once outside the PAR, the storm is forecast to accelerate as it moves northeastward.

PAGASA said Queenie is expected to gradually intensify while inside the PAR and may reach typhoon category by Sunday.