A super typhoon equivalent to a Category 5 hurricane is bearing down on the Philippines, posing a major threat to people and property across the island nation.

With sustained winds of 175 mph, Super Typhoon Haiyan is the most powerful tropical cyclone of any kind in 2013 and will likely make landfall early Friday local time (Thursday night, EST), the Weather Channel reports. Additionally, the Japanese Meteorological Agency estimates the storm's pressure at 905 millibars, which is not unheard of for the Western Pacific region, but would be among the strongest storms on record if it were in the Atlantic.

A typhoon becomes a super typhoon when it achieves winds of 150 mph. Haiyan, called "Yolanda" in the Philippines, is expected to make landfall with winds of 155 mph.

Accuweather warns rainfall along the storm's path could measure over 8 inches (200 mm), with mudslides becoming an increasing concern at higher elevations. Making matters worse, a tropical cyclone has already drenched parts of the central Philippines, meaning Haiyan's rainfall will likely lead to worse flooding and mudslides.

Super Typhoon Haiyan's anticipated path will also take it directly over the Filipino region struck hardest by a 7.1-magnitude earthquake in October. Around 12 million people live in the Manila metro area, where the storm is expected to hit Saturday, with another 10 million in the central Philippines, where the storm will likely hit hardest.

Earlier on HuffPost:

Loading Slideshow...

  • A Filipino man ride his bicycle as thick clouds form in Navotas, north of Manila, Philippines on Monday, Aug. 12, 2013. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

  • A Filipino boy stands as waves hit a wall at a park in Navotas, north of Manila, Philippines on Monday, Aug. 12, 2013. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

  • Members of the Baguio City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council and local police clean up the screen of the City Camp Lagoon Tunnel in Baguio city, as powerful typhoon Utor batters the northern Philippines on Monday Aug. 12, 2013, toppling power lines and dumping heavy rain across mountains, cities and food-growing plains. (AP Photo)

  • The soil is exposed at the site of a landslide in Baguio city as powerful typhoon Utor batters the northern Philippines Monday, Aug. 12, 2013, toppling power lines and dumping heavy rain across mountains, cities and food-growing plains. (AP Photo)

  • A Filipino man pedals his pedicab during a brief rainfall at Navotas, north of Manila, Philippines on Monday, Aug. 12, 2013. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

  • A Filipino woman holds a baby during a brief rainfall in Manila, Philippines on Monday, Aug. 12, 2013. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

  • Fishing boats sit lined up in the suburbs of Manila due to Typhoon Utor off the northern coast of Luzon island on August 12, 2013. (JAY DIRECTO/AFP/Getty Images)

  • Residents wade through ankle-deep water along a flooded stretch of road as heavy rains brought on by Typhoon Utor hit the suburbs of Manila on August 12, 2013. (JAY DIRECTO/AFP/Getty Images)

  • Young people play in the waves brought on by Typhoon Utor as the ocean splashes up along a sea wall in the suburbs of Manila on August 12, 2013. (JAY DIRECTO/AFP/Getty Images)

  • Fishermen fix their nets as fishing is banned due to Typhoon Utor, in the suburbs of Manila on August 12, 2013. (JAY DIRECTO/AFP/Getty Images)

  • Residents wade through ankle-deep water along a flooded stretch of road as heavy rains brought on by Typhoon Utor hit the suburbs of Manila on August 12, 2013. (JAY DIRECTO/AFP/Getty Images)

  • Children play in the waves brought on by Typhoon Utor as the ocean splashes up along a sea wall in the suburbs of Manila on August 12, 2013. (JAY DIRECTO/AFP/Getty Images)

  • A Filipino worker rests as they down a billboard sign as people brace for Typhoon Utor in Manila, Philippines on Sunday, Aug. 11, 2013. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)