Tropical Storm “Maring” has intensified and remains a large tropical cyclone, the weather bureau reported Saturday.

In its Tropical Cyclone Bulletin 7, issued at 5 a.m., the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said “Maring” was estimated at 875 km. east of Catarman, Northern Samar, with maximum sustained winds of 85 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 105 kph.

“It is moving east-northeastward at 15 kph,” PAGASA said.

The bureau forecast moderate to heavy rains over Eastern Visayas and the Dinagat Islands, and light to moderate with at times heavy rains over the Bicol region and the rest of the Visayas and the Caraga region.

It noted that while no tropical cyclone wind signal is in effect, occasionally gusts reaching strong breeze to near gale in strength may be experienced over Eastern Visayas, Caraga, Catanduanes, Albay, and Sorsogon.

PAGASA said “Maring” could merge with Tropical Depression Nando, last estimated at 1,220 km. east of northern Luzon, with maximum sustained winds of 55 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 70 kph and moving westward at 25 kph.

It said the resulting merger, likely dominated by “Maring”, is forecast to move northwestward and west-northwestward until Monday before turning westward by Tuesday, crossing over the Luzon Strait and passing over or close to Batanes and the Babuyan Islands between Monday evening and Tuesday morning.

Meanwhile, PAGASA said Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers brought by the Intertropical Convergence Zone and localized thunderstorms.

The temperature in Metro Manila will range from 25°C to 32°C; Baguio City, 16°C to 23°C; Legazpi City, 26°C to 29°C; Metro Cebu, 26°C to 29°C; and Metro Davao, 25°C to 32°C.