Manila, June 24 -- Tropical Storm (TS) Higos is forecast to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) on Thursday and will be given the local name Gardo, the weather bureau said.

Higos was located 2,120 km. east of Central Luzon as of 10 a.m. on Wednesday. It is moving west-northwest at 20 kilometers per hour (kph).

The TS has maximum sustained winds of 65 kph near the center and gusts up to 80 kph.

According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), Higos will remain far from landmass and is not expected to directly affect the weather and sea conditions.

It is also forecast to remain as a tropical storm, but intensification into a severe tropical storm is not ruled out.

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