The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) and Taiwan's Central Weather Administration (CWA) all forecast the tropical depression to intensify into a tropical storm as it approaches northern Luzon.
PAGASA said the system was centred about 185 km east-northeast of Baler in Aurora Province on Monday morning, packing maximum sustained winds of 55 kph and gusts of up to 70 kph while moving west-northwest at 15 kph.
The agency said it is likely to make landfall over northern Luzon on Monday afternoon or evening before turning northeast and moving away from the Philippines. However, its track remains uncertain and could still change.
The system could weaken back into a tropical depression after crossing or brushing northern Luzon before gradually dissipating from Aug. 5 as it is absorbed by the circulation of Typhoon Dolphin.
Meanwhile, Taiwan's CWA said Typhoon Dolphin could bring heavy rain later this week if it turns towards Taiwan after passing through the Ryukyu Islands. Forecast models agree on its track through August 6 but diverge thereafter.
