Tropical Storm Nando has further gained strength, PAGASA said in its 5 a.m. Friday bulletin.

Nando now has maximum sustained winds of 75 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 90 km/h, moving west northwestward at 15 km/h.

At 4 a.m., Nando was located 1,075 km east of Central Luzon.

Nando is not expected to directly affect the weather in the country in the next 48 hours, as heavy rains due to Nando and the Southwest Monsoon may occur starting either Sunday, September 21, or Monday, September 22.

"Wind Signal No. 1 will be hoisted over Northern Luzon as early as tomorrow (September 20), and the highest Wind Signal that may be hoisted throughout its passage is Wind Signal No. 5, considering that this tropical cyclone has a possibility to reach super typhoon category," PAGASA said.

The Southwest Monsoon and the trough of Nando will bring strong to gale-force gusts over the following areas:

* Friday: Ilocos Region, Zambales, Bataan, Bicol Region, and Eastern Visayas

* Saturday: Bicol Region, Eastern Visayas, and Caraga

* Sunday: Bicol Region, Visayas, Northern Mindanao, and Caraga

PAGASA said Nando's center may pass close or may make landfall over the Babuyan Islands from Monday evening until Tuesday morning.

It may leave the Philippine Area of Responsibility by Tuesday afternoon or evening. -- VBL, GMA Integrated News