MANILA, Nov. 26 -- Tropical cyclone Verbena, which intensified into a tropical storm (TS) on Tuesday night, continues to intensify and could possibly reach the severe tropical storm category this afternoon, the weather bureau said Wednesday.

In its 5 a.m. bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Verbena packs maximum sustained winds of 85 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 105 kph.

It was last tracked 130 km. west of Coron, Palawan, moving west-northwest at 25 kph.

Gale-force winds will prevail across the Calamian Islands and the extreme northern portion of mainland Palawan (El Nido and Taytay) where signal no. 2 is hoisted.

Strong winds will prevail in areas ...