Tropical Depression 03W formed east of Mindanao on Wednesday. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Depression 03W was located at latitude 7.1°N and longitude 129.6°E which put it about 275 miles (475 km) east of Davao, Philippines. The tropical depression was moving toward the west-northwest at 7 m.p.h. (11 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 35 m.p.h. (55 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 45 m.p.h. (75 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 1001 mb.

More thunderstorms formed near the center of a small low pressure system east of Mindanao on Wednesday and the Joint Typhoon Warning Center designated the system as Tropical Depression 03W. More thunderstorms were also forming in bands that were revolving around center of the depression. Storms near the center of circulation were began to generate upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical depression.

Tropical Depression 03W will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. The depression will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C. It will move under the middle of a small upper level ridge east of the Philippines. The upper level winds are weak near the middle of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear. Tropical Depression will intensify during the next 24 hours and it is likely to strengthen to a tropical storm.

Tropical Depression 03W will move south of a subtropical high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer the depression toward the west-northwest during the next 48 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Depression 03W will approach the east coast of Mindanao in a little over 24 hours. It will likely be a tropical storm when it approaches the coast. The system will drop locally heavy rain over Mindanao and flash floods could occur.