MANILA – “Auring” has intensified into a tropical storm as it moves closer to Palawan, weather bureau PAGASA said Thursday night.

Storm signal number 2 has been raised in Southern Palawan while signal number 1 is hoisted over the rest of Palawan.

PAGASA said Auring was last seen 110 kilometers south of Puerto Princesa City, packing winds of 65 kilometers per hour (kph).

It was also carrying gust winds reaching 80 kph.

PAGASA said the storm was moving west at a speed of 28 kph and was expected to be out of the Philippine Area of Responsibility by Friday night.

Palawan residents were warned of possible flash floods and landslides. Auring was expected to dump heavy to intense rains within its 300-kilometer diameter.

The storm is the first weather disturbance to enter the country this year.