Typhoon Kristine slightly weakens, expected to exit PAR Saturday night

Image: bagong.pagasa.dost.gov.ph

MANILA, Philippines — Typhoon Kristine (international name: Haishen) has slightly weakened as it is expected to exit the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) on Saturday night, the state weather bureau said.

In its 11 a.m. weather update, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said that “Kristine” was forecast to continue moving northwest until it leaves PAR, and is expected to turn north-northwest toward Northern Amami Islands and Tokara Islands in Japan.

“Kristine”  was last monitored at 1,080 kilometers east northeast of extreme Northern Luzon and moving northwest at 15 kph.

The typhoon packs maximum sustained winds of 185 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center, and gustiness of up to 230 kph.

State meteorologists said that “Kristine” is unlikely to affect the Philippines’ weather conditions.

A gale warning, however, is in effect over the seaboards of Batanes and Cagayan (including the Babuyan Islands) due to rough seas (2.8 to 4.5 meters).

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