Tropical depression to enter PAR Thursday afternoon, to be called Neneng

A tropical depression is set to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) on Thursday afternoon and will be called Neneng, according to state weather forecasters PAGASA.

In its 11 a.m. weather bulletin, PAGASA said the center of the tropical depression was estimated at 1,400 km east of Extreme Northern Luzon packing maximum sustained winds of 45 km/h near the center, gustiness of up to 55 km/h, and central pressure of 1004 hPa.

"The Tropical Depression is forecast to move generally westward or west northwestward in the next 12 hours. On the forecast track, it may enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) this afternoon," PAGASA said.

"Once inside the PAR, the domestic name 'NENENG' will be assigned to this tropical cyclone."

After it enters PAR, the cyclone will track west southwestward to westward beginning Friday through Saturday before turning west northwestward towards Extreme Northern Luzon.

It may also intensify while moving over the Philippine Sea and may reach tropical storm by category by Saturday.

"The possibility of further intensification prior to its close approach to Extreme Northern Luzon is not ruled out," PAGASA said.

It added that there is "high likelihood" that tropical cyclone wind signals will be raised over Batanes and several provinces in Northern Luzon, with the highest being TCWS No. 2. —KBK, GMA News