MANILA, Philippines (1st UPDATE) - Tropical storm Chedeng (international codename Songda) has been upgraded into a typhoon by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on Wednesday morning.

In the bureau's 11 a.m. press conference, PAGASA said Chedeng has intensified into a typhoon as it remained almost stationary at 350 kilometers east of Catarman, Northern Samar.

Chedeng has maximum sustained winds of 130 kilometers per hour (kph) and moving 9 kph west northwest.

It had slightly changed its course as it approached Samar and toward Camarines Norte. It may hit Metro Manila and some of the southern parts of Luzon, weather forecaster Robert Sawi said.

Signal No. 2 is now hoisted over Catanduanes, Sorsogon, Albay, Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte, and Samar provinces.

Signal No. 1, on the other hand, has been raised over Marinduque, Masbate, Burias and Ticao Islands, Southern Quezon, Polillo Island, Northern Leyte and Biliran Island.

Despite the heavy rains experienced in several parts of the country, PAGASA has yet to announce the onset of the rainy season. It said some “requirements” have not yet been met. – with a report from Alex Santos, ABS-CBN News