Pagasa said a tropical storm outside the Philippine area of responsibility may intensify into a typhoon or super typhoon before entering the country’s monitoring area next week.
Weather specialist Leanne Loreto said Thursday that the storm could enter PAR by Wednesday or Thursday next week.
Once inside PAR, the weather disturbance will be given the local name Inday.
Loreto said the system is expected to continue strengthening in the coming days, although its exact track and intensity remain uncertain.
Pagasa said current forecasts showed the storm could reach typhoon or even super typhoon category as it approaches the country.
The weather bureau also said the system may enhance the southwest monsoon, or Habagat, which could bring more rains over parts of the country.
Meanwhile, Tropical Depression Henry left PAR around 8 p.m. Wednesday and was last located 610 kilometers west of Bacnotan, La Union, moving west-northwest at 25 kilometers per hour.
Pagasa said Henry’s outer circulation and Habagat may still bring strong to gale-force gusts over Batanes, Cagayan, Pangasinan, Zambales, Bataan, and Palawan, while scattered rains are expected over Palawan, Occidental Mindoro, Eastern Visayas, Bicol Region, Caraga, Davao Region, and Quezon.