Nanmadol to Stir Habagat as it Hovers North of Philippines

(UPDATE) Typhoon Nanmadol on Friday intensified further before it enters the Philippine Area of Responsibility, stirring monsoon rains in the western section of the country, PAGASA said.

Nanmadol, which will be named Josie once it enters the country, was spotted 1,445 kilometers east northeast of Extreme Northern Luzon at 3 p.m., packing maximum sustained winds of 175 kph with 215 kph gusts.  It will not hit land in the Philippines, said the weather bureau said.

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The typhoon, the 10th to enter PAR and the second this September, is seen to strengthen further while at sea, and may reach super typhoon category within 24 hours. It will leave the Philippines later Friday or early Saturday as it heads towards southern Japan, PAGASA said.

Nanmadol is seen to pull the southwest monsoon or habagat, stirring rains in the western parts of Luzon, Visayas, and the Zamboanga Peninsula.

Here's the weather forecast for Friday:

Luzon

The habagat will bring cloudy skies with scattered rains and thunderstorms in Mimaropa and Bicol Region, while Calabarzon, Zambales, Bataan and Metro Manila will have cloudy skies with possible rains.

Visayas and Mindanao

Expect rains in Western Visayas, with possible thunderstorm in Aklan and Antique.

The ret of Visayas and the Zamboanga Peninsula will also have cloudy skies with possible rains due to the habagat.