PAGASA weather specialist John A. Manalo said the country’s 16th cyclone this year was projected to strengthen into a severe tropical storm as it nears the country and could further intensify into a typhoon. “As it approaches our country, our analysis shows that it will continue to strengthen and intensify into a severe tropical storm,” he told a news briefing. There was a possibility of raising Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 over the eastern portions of Northern and Central Luzon by Wednesday afternoon or evening, which could escalate to Signal No. While the cyclone was unlikely to directly affect the country within 24 hours, rains were expected in Northern and parts of Central Luzon starting Friday morning.