MANILA (UPDATE) - Tropical cyclone wind signal no. 1 was raised over Batanes and Babuyan Islands as Typhoon Fabian is expected to still intensify and reach its peak by Friday, state weather bureau PAGASA said early Thursday.

In its 5 a.m. weather advisory, PAGASA said Fabian was last sighted 530 km northeast of Itbayat, Batanes packing maximum sustained winds of 150 kph near the center and 185 gusts while moving west southwestward at 10 kph. Strong winds are extending outwards up to 640 km from the center of the typhoon.

TCWS no. 1 was raised in Batanes and Babuyan Islands due to the projected arrival of strong winds in the areas within 36 hours.

Fabian is expected to move generally westward or west-southwestward and then advance northwestward, before it leaves the Philippine area of responsibility on Friday evening or Saturday, and barrel towards southern Japan, said PAGASA.

The typhoon is still unlikely to bring heavy rainfall in the Philippines but it will continue to enhance rains under the influence of the southwest monsoon, according to the agency.

Monsoon rainshowers will be experienced in:

• Ilocos Region
• Abra
• Benguet
• Zambales
• Bataan
• Tarlac
• Pampanga
• Bulacan
• Metro Manila
• Cavite
• Batangas
• Occidental Mindoro
• Oriental Mindoro
• Romblon
• northern portion of Palawan, including Calamian and Kalayaan Islands

Rough to very rough seas will also be experienced over the northern, western, and eastern seaboards of Luzon, including Batanes and Babuyan islands.

"Sea travel is risky for small seacrafts over these waters. Mariners without the proper experience should immediately seek safe harbor," PAGASA said.

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Check the ABS-CBN Weather Center for more updates

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