Nanmadol Intensifies as it Nears Philippine Area of Responsibility

(UPDATE) Severe Tropical Storm Nanmadol, which will be named Josie once it enters the Philippine Area of Responsibility later Thursday, continued to intensify over the Pacific Ocean and could reach typhoon strength, PAGASA said.

The storm  is unlikely to hit Luzon as it moves west northwestward, PAGASA said. It was spotted 1,760 kilometers east northeast of extreme Northern Luzon at 10 a.m., packing maximum sustained winds of 110 kph with 135 kph gusts.

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Nanmadol will enhance the southwest monsoon or habagat which will stir rains over the western seaboard of Southern Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

Here's the weather forecast for Thursday:

Luzon

Expect heavy rains in Mimaropa, Bicol Region, Calabarzon, Zambales, Bataan, Palawan, and Occidental Mindoro.

The rest of Central Luzon, Ilocos Region and Cordillera, Cagayan Valley wil have generally fair weather with possible cloudy skies in the afternoon or evening.

Metro Manila

Habagat is seen to bring rains in the afternoon or evening.

Visayas and Mindanao

Aklan, Antique, Negros Occidental, Zamboanga Peninsula, Sulu, Tawi-tawi will have scattered rains and thunderstorms due to the Habagat.