Tino has intensified into a severe tropical storm (STS) while moving over the Philippine Sea on Sunday afternoon, announced the state weather bureau.

According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) 5:00 p.m. bulletin, Tino’s center was estimated to be 805 kilometers east of Eastern Visayas. It packs maximum sustained winds of 95 km/hr near the center, with a gustiness of up to 115 km/hr. It is currently moving westward at a speed of 30 km/hr.

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1—indicating strong winds with speeds of 39 to 61 km/hr and a minimal to minor potential impact—has been raised in the following areas:

VISAYAS

• Eastern Samar

• Northern Samar

• Samar

• Biliran

• Leyte

• Southern Leyte

• Camotes Islands

MINDANAO

• Dinagat Islands

• Surigao del Norte

“On the track forecast, TINO will move generally westward over the next three days and make its initial landfall over Eastern Samar or Dinagat Islands tomorrow (03 November) late evening or on Tuesday (04 November) early morning. Afterwards, TINO will traverse Visayas and northern Palawan before emerging over the West Philippine Sea on Wednesday (05 November) morning or afternoon,” PAGASA said.

The STS has been forecasted to intensify further and may reach typhoon category within the next 24 hours. Moreover, it is expected that Tino will make its landfall at or near peak intensity, which has been pegged at around 150-165 km/hr maximum winds and higher gustiness.

PAGASA is not ruling out the possibility that Tino would strengthen into a super typhoon. Although it may weaken as it hits landmass, the weather bureau expects Tino will remain a typhoon throughout its passage over the country.