Cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms may prevail over parts of Mindanao due to the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ), the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said in its 5 p.m. bulletin on Wednesday, Sept. 7.

PAGASA warned against possible flash floods or landslides due to moderate to, at times, heavy rains in Caraga, Northern Mindanao, Zamboanga Peninsula, and Davao Region.

The rest of the country, including Metro Manila, will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms due to the ITCZ and localized thunderstorms.

PAGASA also advised the public to stay vigilant as flash floods or landslides may occur during severe thunderstorms, which are often accompanied by sudden heavy rains, lightning, thunder, gusty winds, and sometimes hail.

Meanwhile, the tropical cyclone outside the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) has intensified into a tropical storm ahead of its expected entry into the PAR.

As of 3 p.m., the storm was located around 1,430 kilometers east of Northern Luzon, with maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 80 kph.

It was moving southwestward at 10 kph.

PAGASA weather specialist Ana Clauren-Jorda said the tropical storm will likely enter the PAR Wednesday afternoon or evening.

Once inside the PAR, the domestic name “Inday” will be assigned to this tropical storm.

However, Clauren-Jorda said the storm remains less likely to hit land but could enhance the southwest monsoon or habagat in the coming days.

She advised the public to continue to monitor PAGASA’s updates regarding this weather disturbance.