The tropical cyclone with the international name "Nyatoh" has intensified into a severe tropical storm while traversing the sea east of the Philippines.
As of 10 a.m., Wednesday, Dec. 1, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said the center of severe tropical storm Nyatoh was estimated at 1,275 kilometers east of southern Luzon or outside the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR).
It now has maximum sustained winds of 100 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 125 kph while moving north-northwestward at 15 kph.
PAGASA said Nyatoh intensified into a severe tropical storm at 8 a.m. and may reach the typhoon category in the next 12 hours.
"A peak intensity of around 150 kph may be reached by Friday (Dec. 3)," it added.
However, Nyatoh remains less likely to affect the prevailing weather conditions in the country for the next three to five days.
"Severe tropical storm Nyatoh is forecast to move northwestward in the next 12 hours and may enter the Philippine area of responsibility this afternoon or tonight (Dec. 1)," PAGASA said.
Once inside the PAR, the domestic name "Odette" will be assigned to this severe tropical storm.
"Based on the current track forecast, its duration within the PAR region will be short, as it may leave the region within 24 to 36 hours entry. However, considering the eastward shift of the recent forecast tracks, there is a possibility that Nyatoh may not enter PAR ," it added.