MANILA, Philippines — Tropical depression Julian may further intensify but will not directly cause high impact to the weather condition in the country, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).
Based on Pagasa’s 11 a.m. severe weather bulletin on Friday, “Julian” 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 turn into a typhoon by Sunday morning.
Pagasa said the center of the tropical depression was last located 940 kilometers east of Casiguran, Aurora or 975 km east of Tuguegarao City, Cagayan.
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.
“Julian” is forecast to move westward to west-northwestward this Friday until Saturday morning, then turn northward on Saturday evening.
“On the forecast track, ‘Julian’ will remain over the Philippine Sea throughout the forecast period, far from the landmass. It is likely to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) on Monday (31 August) evening,” Pagasa added.
The then low pressure area developed into a tropical depression at 8 a.m.
According to Pagasa, tropical cyclone wind signal is unlikely to be raised throughout the forecast period of “Julian” as it is “less likely to directly cause high impact weather over the country.”
Meanwhile, the southwest monsoon is forecast to bring rough seas (2.5 to 3.5 meters) over the seaboards of Batanes, Babuyan Islands, and Ilocos Norte. Those with small sea crafts are advised not to venture out to the sea.