Typhoon Vongfong strengthens as it approaches the Philippines

Headed toward the Philippines, Typhoon Vongfong — the first named storm of the season in the West Pacific — has intensified over the last 24 hours.

The storm first formed on Tuesday, and has strengthened from a tropical storm with winds of 60 mph to the equivalent of a hurricane with sustained winds of up to 120 mph, CNN reports.

Vongfong is expected to make its first landfall on Thursday night in the Bicol region, and "very heavy rainfall, damaging winds, and powerful storm surge are all major concerns with this storm," CNN meteorologist Tom Sater said. At this time of year, storms in the West Pacific often strengthen quickly because of warm sea surface temperatures.

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