Typhoon Kiko (international name "Chanthu") slightly intensifies as it moves west-southwestward over the Philippine Sea on Wednesday morning, Sept. 8.

In its 11 a.m. cyclone bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said "Kiko" was packing maximum sustained winds of 155 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 190 kph while moving west-southwestward at 20 kph.

The center of the eye of the typhoon was estimated at 1,120 km east of Central Luzon.

PAGASA said the typhoon is expected to continuously intensify until Saturday, when it is likely to reach its peak intensity of 185 to 205 kph while moving over Northern Luzon.

No tropical cyclone wind signals are hoisted in any area at present.

However, based on Kiko's current track and intensity forecast, PAGASA said there is a "moderate to high likelihood" that tropical cyclone wind signals (TCWS) will be hoisted over several provinces in northern Luzon, "with higher wind signal levels possible over extreme northern Luzon" beginning tonight or tomorrow morning (Sept. 9).

The weather state bureau also warned that heavy rains associated with the typhoon may begin affecting the eastern section of Northern Luzon on Friday, Sept. 10.

"The public and disaster managers, especially those in localities of northern Luzon are advised to monitor for updates in the coming days regarding the potential for coastal inundation due to the approaching typhoon," PAGASA said.

The typhoon may move westward southwestward in the next 12 hours before turning west-northwestward until Friday towards extreme Northern Luzon.

Afterward, the typhoon will turn northwestward and pass near the southern coast of Taiwan on Saturday, Sept. 11, before making landfall in the vicinity of southeastern China on Sunday evening, Sept. 12, or Monday morning, Sept. 13.

Meanwhile, in the next 24 hours, the typhoon is "less likely to cause" sea conditions over the country's coastal waters. However, mariners are advised to continue monitoring for updates as rough sea condition may begin affecting the northern and eastern seaboards of Luzon beginning tomorrow, Sept. 9, as the typhoon closes in on Northern Luzon

"Due to the strength of this tropical cyclone, sea condition over the waters in the northern provinces of the country will likely be risky for all types of seacrafts in the coming days," PAGASA said.