Tropical Storm “Higos” has entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) as of 3:00 PM on Thursday, June 25, and was given the domestic name “Gardo,” PAGASA said.

According to the state weather bureau’s bulletin issued at 5:00 PM, Gardo’s center was located at 1,400 km east of Extreme Northern Luzon. It has maximum sustained winds of 85 km/h near the center, gustiness of up to 105 km/h, and a central pressure of 994 hPa.

It is currently moving northwestward at 45 km/h.

No Tropical Cyclone Wind Signals (TCWS) are in effect as of writing.

The PAGASA said the tropical storm will remain far from the Philippine landmass throughout the forecast period. It is forecast to move north northwestward to northward until it exits PAR by Friday (June 26) morning or afternoon.

Outside PAR, Gardo is expected to turn generally northeastward towards southern Japan. PAGASA noted that Gardo is likely to remain as a tropical storm throughout the forecast period, although slight intensification into a severe tropical storm is not ruled out.

Meanwhile, Severe Tropical Storm Francisco is continuously being monitored inside PAR. As of 2:00 PM, the state weather bureau said it was located at 575 km northeast of Itbayat, Batanes.

It has maximum sustained winds of 95 km/h and gustiness of 115 km/h. It is currently moving north northeastward at 15 km/h.