A tropical storm with the international name Mawar is expected to develop into a powerful typhoon and enter the Philippine area of responsibility in the next few days.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said on Sunday Mawar was seen 2,520 kilometers east of Northeastern Mindanao. It has strengthened with 85 kilometers per hour of sustained winds and 105 kph in gust winds.

Palawan, Western Visayas and Zamboanga are on Mawar’s crosshairs according to PAGASA’s Patrick del Mundo.

It has a strong chance of becoming a “severe tropical storm” in the next 24 hours as it moves toward the country from the Pacific Ocean.

So far, Mawar is predicted to move toward Guam as early as Sunday and by Wednesday it could go full tilt to a northwest track, PAGASA said.

“Maaari itong humatak ng southwesterly wind flow na maaari namang makaapekto sa mga nasa kanlurang bahagi ng ating bansa, especially sa may Palawan, Western Visayas, at sa may Zamboanga later on this week,” De Mundo was quoted as saying.

Despite the onset of the El Niño, which is marked by the long dry season, Mawar’s expected entry to the country may herald the start of the rainy season.