The Philippines is bracing for the first typhoon of the year as forecasters warned of floods and possible landslides across wide swathes of the country. <br/><br/>In Manila, stormy weather ahead of Typhoon Conson forced schools to close, international flights to divert, and ships to be barred from leaving port. <br/><br/>Chief state weather forecaster Prisco Nilo said Conson gathered strength as it moved closer to the main island of Luzon, and is likely to hit land later tonight or early Wednesday. He warned of possible landslides or flooding.