MANILA - More areas were placed under storm signal number 1 as Tropical Storm Ambo on Wednesday morning slowly approached Eastern Visayas, the state weather bureau said.

• Signal no. 1 up in parts of Samar as storm 'Ambo' intensifies

Tropical cyclone wind signal no. 1 was hoisted over the following areas in the 11 a.m. bulletin of PAGASA:
- Northern Samar
- Northern portion of Samar province: Calbayog, Sta. Margarita, Gandara, Matuguinao, Pagsanghan, San Jorge, San Jose De Buan, Tarangnan, Catbalogan City, Jiabong, Motiong, San Sebastian, Paranas, Hinabangan
- Northern portion of Eastern Samar: Jipapad, Arteche, Maslog, Oras, San Policarpio, Dolores, Can-avid, Taft, Sulat, San Julian

The storm is forecast to hit land over Bicol region between Thursday evening and early Friday and it may strengthen into a typhoon by Friday morning as it approached the area of Camarines Sur, according to PAGASA weather specialist Aldczar Aurelio.

It will weaken into a severe tropical storm by Saturday morning after hitting land as it approached Banaue, Ifugao, he added.

The country's first storm this year will bring scattered light to moderate with at times heavy rainshowers during thunderstorms over Eastern Visayas, PAGASA said.

It was last seen 360 kilometers east of Borongan City, Eastern Samar at 10 a.m., with maximum winds of 85 km per hour and 105 kph gusts, the state weather bureau added.

Ambo is expected to leave the Philippine area of responsibility by Monday.

Visit the ABS-CBN Weather Center for more updates.