Eight provinces are now under public storm warning signal number one after tropical storm Emong entered the Philippine area of responsibility Wednesday evening.

Nonoy About Jr., weather forecaster of Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services (PAGASA), said Emong is already 465 kilometers west southwest of Iba, Zambales, packing winds with speeds of 110 kilometers per hour near the center.

The provinces under signal number one are Zambales, Tarlac, Pangasinan, La Union, Benguet, Ilocos Sur, Abra and Ilocos Norte.

PAGASA said Emong is expected to be 190 km west northwest of Iba on Thursday evening.

The rainshowers being felt in Metro Manila are already part of the tropical storm, which the weather forecaster said is stronger than tropical storm Dante, which has pummeled the Bicol region last week

Emong is expected to be in the country until Saturday.