MANILA – Tropical Storm Kiyapo intensified early Friday as it moved closer to Extreme Northern Luzon, prompting the state weather bureau to raise Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 2 over parts of Northern Luzon.

In its 5 a.m. bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said the center of Kiyapo was estimated at 345 kilometers east of Aparri, Cagayan.

The tropical storm packs maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center, gusts of up to 80 kph, and is moving west northwestward at 30 kph. Strong to gale-force winds extend up to 450 kilometers from the center.

TCWS No. 2, indicating gale-force winds with speeds of 62 to 88 kph within 24 hours, is in effect over Batanes, the northern portion of mainland Cagayan, including the Babuyan Islands, and the northern portion of Ilocos Norte, particularly Pagudpud.

Under TCWS No. 1 are the rest of mainland Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, Apayao, Abra, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Benguet, the rest of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, and the northern and central portions of Aurora.

PAGASA said the hoisting of TCWS No. 3 remains possible if Kiyapo intensifies into a severe tropical storm while traversing the Batanes-Babuyan Islands area.

The weather bureau also said the southwest monsoon enhanced by Kiyapo will bring strong to gale-force gusts over most parts of the country on Friday.

A gale warning remains in effect over the northern seaboard of Northern Luzon.

PAGASA warned of very rough seas of up to 5.5 meters along the seaboards of Batanes and the Babuyan Islands, and up to 4.5 meters along the northern coasts of mainland Cagayan and Ilocos Norte. Sea travel remains risky for all types of vessels in these areas, with mariners advised to remain in port or seek safe harbor.

The agency said Kiyapo is expected to continue moving west northwestward toward the Luzon Strait before turning northwestward to northward. The storm may pass close to the northeastern portion of mainland Cagayan between Friday morning and afternoon before passing very close to or making landfall in the vicinity of the Babuyan Islands later in the day.

Kiyapo is forecast to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility by Saturday morning.

PAGASA said the tropical storm is expected to continue intensifying while crossing Extreme Northern Luzon and could become a severe tropical storm after passing the Babuyan Islands. Over the West Philippine Sea, it may rapidly intensify into a typhoon before making landfall over southern mainland China.