Himawari-8/RAMMB imagery 

(UPDATED) Tropical cyclone Carina has intensified into a tropical storm, state weather bureau PAGASA said Saturday.

The center of Carina was last sighted 545 kilometers East of Casiguran, Aurora as of 10 p.m., PAGASA said.

It was packing maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometer per hour near the center with gusts of up to 80kph. 

It continues to move west-northwestward at 20 kph, bringing strong to gale-force winds that extend outwards up to 320 km from the center.

PAGASA said Carina is expected to move generally northwestward until Monday while gradually decelerating.

It may intensify and become a severe tropical storm by Monday.

PAGASA expects Carina to bring 50-100 mm of rainwater to the northeastern portion of mainland Cagayan and the eastern portion of Babuyan Islands. The forecast rainfall is generally higher in elevated or mountainous areas.

The weather bureau warned that under these conditions, flooding and rain-induced landslides are possible especially in areas that are susceptible to these hazards.

"Furthermore, the enhanced Southwest Monsoon will moderate to intense rainfall over various localities in the western portion of Luzon tomorrow through Tuesday," said PAGASA.

The weather disturbance is expected to remain far from the Philippine landmass and is forecast to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Wednesday.