A new tropical depression has appeared east of southeastern Luzon, will enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Thursday and could become a typhoon, the Philippine Atmopsheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (:Pagasa) said Tuesday.

As of 4 pm, the tropical depression which will be named Queenie when it enters on Thursday had maximum winds of up to 45 kilometers per hour near the center and gusts of up to 56 kilometers per hour 1,870 kilometers east of southeastern Luzon.

But Pagasa said once it''may intensity into a tropical storm prior to its entry to PAR by Thursday morning and may reach typhoon category by weekend.''

The tropical depression is headed northward at 15 kilometers per hour. It is not yet expected to affect weather and sea conditions over the next three days. PHS