Seven areas were placed under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal number one as the low pressure area (LPA) in Northern Luzon intensified into a tropical cyclone named ''Emong'' on Wednesday morning and strengthened to a storm in the afternoon.

The areas that were placed under signal number one include Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, the northern and western portions of Pangasinan (Dasol, Burgos, Agno, Bani, Bolinao, City of Alaminos, Mabini, Anda, Labrador, Sual, Binmaley, Dagupan City, Lingayen, Bugallon, Infanta, Sison, Mangaldan, San Fabian, San Jacinto, Pozorrubio), Apayao, Abra, and Benguet.

As of 5pm, the state weather bureau announced that Emong has further intensified into a tropical storm as it moves southwestward at the speed of 20 kph.

''Emong'' was last spotted at 150 km west of Laoag City, Ilocos Norte with maximum sustained winds of 65kph near the center and gustiness of up to 80 kph and central pressure of 994 hectopascals.

Based on the forecast, ''Emong'' may reach severe tropical storm before it will make landfall over Ilocos Sur, La Union, or Pangasinan tomorrow evening or on Friday early morning.

"This tropical cyclone will emerge over the Luzon Strait on Friday afternoon after crossing the mountainous terrain of Northern Luzon. Its passage over Northern Luzon will weaken Emong into a tropical storm," the bureau stated.

The state weather bureau is also monitoring Tropical Storm ''Dante'' which was last spotted at 835 km East Northeast of extreme Northern Luzon with maximum sustained winds of 65 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 80 kph while moving North Northwestward at the speed of 25 kph.

"Dante may exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility tomorrow (July 24) afternoon or evening," it stated. Robina Asido/DMS