Severe Tropical Storm Verbena strengthened on November 26, 2025, as it moved westward over the West Philippine Sea, away from Palawan. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration reported maximum sustained winds of 95 kilometers per hour. While the storm no longer causes significant rainfall, the shear line continues to bring heavy rain to parts of Luzon.
On Wednesday, November 26, 2025, Tropical Storm Verbena intensified into a severe tropical storm at 8 a.m., according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA). In its 11 a.m. briefing, PAGASA reported that Verbena was located 375 kilometers west of Coron, Palawan, or 310 kilometers east-northeast of Pag-asa Island in the Kalayaan Islands, with maximum sustained winds of 95 kilometers per hour and gusts up to 115 km/h. The storm was moving west at 35 km/h and is expected to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) late Wednesday or early Thursday morning.
PAGASA forecasts that Verbena could briefly reach typhoon strength on Thursday before weakening due to the northeast monsoon, or amihan. As of 11 a.m., Wind Signal No. 1 remained hoisted over the Kalayaan Islands, where strong winds are anticipated. This is the lowest wind signal, with Signal No. 2 having been the highest raised earlier during the storm's passage. Gale-force winds extend up to 280 kilometers from the center.
No areas are experiencing significant rainfall directly from Verbena, which had previously triggered floods with moderate to intense rain. However, the shear line—formed by the convergence of the northeast monsoon and easterlies—continues to cause moderate to intense rainfall in Luzon. PAGASA's outlook from noon Wednesday to noon Thursday predicts heavy to intense rain (100-200 mm) in Cagayan and Apayao, and moderate to heavy rain (50-100 mm) in Isabela, Kalinga, and Aurora. Floods and landslides remain possible.
Gusty conditions from Verbena and the monsoon affect much of Luzon, including the Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Metro Manila, Calabarzon, Occidental Mindoro, and the rest of Palawan on Wednesday. Similar conditions are expected in parts of northern Luzon on Thursday and Friday. Sea conditions are rough to very rough along northern and western Luzon seaboards, with waves up to 6 meters in some areas, posing risks to vessels.
Verbena is the 22nd tropical cyclone to enter the PAR in 2025 and the third in November, following Typhoon Tino and Super Typhoon Uwan. It made seven landfalls: six as a tropical depression on November 24 in Bayabas, Surigao del Sur, and Jagna, Bohol; and on November 25 in Talisay City, Cebu; Vallehermoso, Negros Oriental; San Lorenzo, Guimaras; Miagao, Iloilo; and Linapacan, Palawan as a tropical storm.
