Government continues seeing nil chance for tropical storm “Marce” to further intensify into a typhoon.

“Marce” will instead likely weaken into a tropical depression while over West Philippine Sea due to the storm’s interaction with the intensifying northeast monsoon or “amihan”, noted weather forecaster Rene Paciente from State-run Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical andAstronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

“The northeast monsoon has cold and dry air which ‘Marce’ doesn’t need to intensify,” he said.

Like other storms, he said “Marce” needs the opposite to gain strength.

In its severe weather bulletin 16 released Friday afternoon, PAGASA located “Marce” at some 85 km north-northeast of Palawan province’s Cuyo municipality as of 1 p.m. today.

“That storm is already nearing West Philippine Sea and will likely be over that area by Saturday (Nov. 26),” Paciente noted.

PAGASA said “Marce” packed maximum sustained winds of 65 kph near its center and gustiness of up to 100 kph.

“Estimated rainfall amount is from moderate to heavy within the 300-km diameter of the tropical storm,” PAGASA said further.

Earlier, PAGASA forecast ‘Marce’ to intensify into a storm between Sunday (Nov. 27) and Monday (Nov. 28) while over West Philippine Sea due to “amihan”.

Paciente said “Marce” gained strength earlier than expected as this storm moved over significant expanse of water where it drew energy needed to intensify.

According to PAGASA, “Marce” will likely move west-northwestwards at 22 kph.

PAGASA forecast “Marce” to be 325 km southwest of Zambales province’s Iba municipality by Saturday morning.

The agency also expects “Marce” to be 550 km west-northwest of Iba by Sunday afternoon, already outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR).

Paciente said “Marce” is moving faster so its forecast exist from PAR is already earlier than previously expected.

PAGASA previously forecast “Marce” to be outside PAR by Monday morning. (PNA)