Storm Butchoy which has intensified into a typhoon entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) at 2pm today.

The typhoon, packing winds of 120 kph, is moving northwest at the speed of 30 kph, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said.

With gusts of up to 150 kph, Butchoy is 1,440 kilometers east of Baler, Aurora.

Heavy rains are expected within its 300-km diameter.

On Friday, Butchoy is expected to be nearest the country, particularly Northern Luzon, PAGASA said.

The weather bureau has not raised storm signals over any area in the country so far.

Forecasters in PAGASA also warned the public particularly those living in far-flung places near mountain sides and areas close to bodies of water due to the possibility of flooding and landslides. (with reports from Allen Doydora)