MANILA, Philippines—(UPDATE 2) Typhoon “Pepeng” (international codename: Parma) continued to strengthen as it closed in on Northern Luzon, the state weather bureau said Thursday morning.

In its 5:00 am weather update, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) raised public storm signal number 1 over Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur and Catanduanes.

As of 4:00 am, PAGASA said “Pepeng” was located 650 kilometers east of Borongan, Eastern Samar.

Pepeng is now packing maximum sustained winds of 150 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 185 kph. It is moving west northwest at 24 kph.

PAGASA said the eastern section of the country will experience cloudy skies with scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms. These conditions can become widespread rains over the Bicol region.

The rest of Luzon will have partly cloudy to cloudy weather with isolated rainshowers and thunderstorms.

The rest of Visayas and Mindanao will have mostly cloudy skies with scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms.

Residents in low-lying areas and near mountain slopes are warned against flashfloods and landslides.

PAGASA said it expects Pepeng to be 310 km east of Virac, Catanduanes by Friday morning, 190 km north of Virac by Saturday morning and 50 km west of Tuguegarao City by Sunday morning.