LPA east of Isabela now Tropical Depression Julian

MANILA, Philippines — The low-pressure area east of Isabela developed into a tropical depression on Friday morning, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said.

In a tweet, the state weather bureau said the LPA has intensified into a tropical depression at 8 a.m. It was given the local name Julian.

In its severe weather bulletin at 11 a.m., Pagasa said the tropical depression may develop into a tropical storm in the next 12 hours and into a severe tropical storm in the next 24 to 36 hours.

It may also intensify into a typhoon by Sunday morning.

At 10 a.m., the center of the tropical depression was located 940 kilometers east of Casiguran, Aurora or 975 km east of Tuguegarao City, Cagayan, according to the weather bureau.

It is moving westward at 15 kilometers per hour (kph) and has maximum sustained winds of 55 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 70 kph.

Pagasa said tropical cyclone wind signals are unlikely to be raised throughout the forecast period of “Julian” as it is “less likely to directly cause high impact weather over the country.”

/MUF