Tropical depression to develop into typhoon before hitting China's southern coast

A tropical depression east of the Philippines is expected to strengthen into this year's 12th typhoon, Noul, and make landfall along China's southern coast this weekend, bringing strong winds and heavy rain to parts of Guangdong and Fujian provinces, according to the National Meteorological Center.

The tropical depression formed on Thursday morning over waters east of the Philippines. At 8 am, its center was located about 930 kilometers east of Manila, packing maximum sustained winds of 15 meters per second.

The system is forecast to move west-northwest at 25 to 30 kilometers per hour while steadily intensifying. It is expected to become Typhoon Noul within the next 12 to 24 hours, it said.

The storm is expected to enter the northeastern South China Sea early Saturday. Forecasters said it could strengthen into a typhoon or even a strong typhoon before approaching the coast.

Typhoon Noul is expected to make landfall between Zhuhai in Guangdong province and Zhangpu county in Fujian between Saturday night and early Sunday.

After landfall, the storm is forecast to turn north-northwest and gradually weaken as it moves inland.