(UPDATE) —Tropical depression Egay continues to move west northwest towards the Philippines while maintaining its strength, but is forecast to become to intensify into a tropical storm within the day, PAGASA said on Saturday.

The state weather bureau's 5 a.m. bulletin showed "Egay" was last spotted 815 kilometers (km) east of Southeastern Luzon, moving west northwestward at 10 kilometers per hour (kph).

PAGASA earlier described the movement of the country's fifth storm this year as "slow." In its report though, the agency said "Egay" could continue intensifying in the succeeding hours and may reach super typhoon category on Tuesday and Wednesday while over the Philippine Sea.

It is currently packing maximum sustained winds of 55kph near the center, with gusts of up to 70kph, and a central pressure of 1,004hPa.

• PAGASA: Egay, posibleng maging super typhoon sa Martes

"Egay is forecast to track generally west northwestward or westward today and tomorrow before turning northwestward for the remainder of the forecast period. The current forecast track indicates that Egay will remain offshore over the Philippine Sea," said PAGASA.

"[It] is forecast to intensify into a tropical storm within the day. Through the forecast period, this tropical cyclone will continue to steadily intensify," it added.

PAGASA said it would raise tropical cyclone wind signals today or tomorrow, adding that the southwest monsoon or the habagat could bring gusty conditions over the following areas:

- western and southern portions of Visayas
- the northern portions of Northern Mindanao
- Caraga
- Romblon
- Masbate

"In anticipation of the arrival of strong breeze to near-gale conditions associated with Egay, Wind Signals may be hoisted within the day or tomorrow in some areas in Bicol Region and Eastern Visayas," the latest report read.

The weather agency also forecast that the storm could hit land over the northern portion of Northern Luzon.

• Egay to move towards Bicol; may intensify over the weekend