MANILA, Philippines — A tropical storm over the Pacific Ocean is expected to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Friday but will miss the country's landmass.
Once inside the Philippine zone, the weather disturbance, internationally called "Phanfone," will be renamed "Neneng," the 14th cyclone this year.
Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration weather forecaster Jori Loiz said in a state-run television report that the cyclone will not directly affect the country until it leaves Sunday.
Neneng, however, may pull winds from the northwest, west and southwest, causing wind convergence over the eastern portion of Visayas, Loiz said.
Data from the United State Navy's Joint Typhoon Warning Center show that the storm packs maximum sustained winds of 83 kilometers per hour with gustiness of up to 101.86 kph.
It is also likely to intensify into a typhoon as it makes its way to Japan.