Filipinos warned of rainy Christmas as storm intensifies

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MANILA, Philippines—Weather forecasters say a severe tropical storm has gained strength as it moves closer to the Philippines and may intensify further into a typhoon, bringing heavy rains and blustery weather on Christmas Day, the biggest holiday in the predominantly Roman Catholic nation.

Tropical Storm Nock-Ten was 790 kilometres (490 miles) east of Guiuan town in the eastern part of the country as of Friday morning, packing winds of up to 105 kilometres per hour (65 miles per hour) and gusts of up to 130 kph (81 mph).

Landrico Dalida Jr., a deputy administrator of the government weather bureau, said Nock-Ten may intensify into a typhoon, with winds of at least 120 kph (75 mph), before it makes landfall Sunday afternoon or evening in the eastern part of the country.