TYPHOON Kammuri has gained more strength while moving slowly northwest, said the state weather bureau.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Adminstration (Pagasa) said the eye of Kammuri was located at 1,470 kilometers east of Southern Luzon outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) as of 10 a.m., Friday, November 29.

Pagasa said the typhoon is forecast to enter PAR between Saturday, November 30, and Sunday morning, December 1, and will be named "Tisoy" as the 20th Philippine tropical cyclone for 2019.

Kammuri moves slowly northwest with maximum sustained winds of up to 140 kilometers per hour (km/h) near its center and gusts up to 170 km/h.

Pagasa said Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) Number 1 may be raised over the eastern portion of the Bicol Region-Eastern Visayas area on Sunday.

It said Typhoon Kammuri may bring moderate to heavy rains and thunderstorms on Monday, December 2, over Bicol Region and Samar provinces, while strong winds and heavy to intense rains will be experienced in Central Luzon, Bicol Region, Southern Luzon, and Metro Manila on Tuesday, December 3, and Wednesday, December 4.

The weather bureau added that the intensification of Kammuri into a super typhoon is less likely at this time, but not ruled out. (EZN/SunStar Philippines)