The tropical depression outside the country’s area of responsibility has intensified into a tropical storm and was given the international name “Nanmadol,” the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said on Wednesday morning, Sept. 14.

In its 5 a.m. bulletin, PAGASA said Nanmadol was estimated at 1,910 kilometers east of extreme Northern Luzon, moving east-northeastward at 10 kph.

If it maintains its speed and direction, Nanmadol will be inside the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) by Thursday evening, Sept. 15, or Friday morning, Sept. 16.

“Once inside the PAR, the domestic name ‘Josie’ will be assigned to this tropical cyclone,” PAGASA said.

It may further intensify into a typhoon prior to its expected entry into the PAR.

As of Wednesday morning, Nanmadol has maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 80 kph.

The State weather bureau pointed out that while the storm may remain far from the Philippine landmass and may not have a direct effect on the country, the enhanced southwest monsoon or “habagat” may bring rains over the western sections of Southern Luzon and Visayas beginning Wednesday or Thursday.

In the next 24 hours, cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms may prevail over Occidental Mindoro, Palawan, Aklan, and Antique.

Meanwhile, the rest of the country will be partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms.