Storm Julian slightly intensifies, Signal No.1 in 9 Luzon areas

MANILA, Philippines — Tropical Storm Julian (international name: Krathon) slightly intensified as it swirled over eastern Cagayan on Saturday afternoon, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said. 

 In its 5:00 p.m. weather bulletin, Pagasa said that Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TWCS) No. 1 is still up over the following areas:

• Batanes
• Cagayan including Babuyan Islands
• Isabela
• Apayao
• Kalinga
• Eastern portion of Mountain Province (Natonin, Paracelis)
• Eastern portion of Ifugao (Aguinaldo, Alfonso Lista)
• Ilocos Norte
• Northern portion of Aurora (Dilasag, Casiguran)

Typhoon alert!  

Pagasa added that Julian will continue to intensify and will develop into a typhoon by Monday.

“JULIAN will continue to intensify throughout the forecast period and reach typhoon category on Monday. There is a high chance of rapid intensification, and the possibility of reaching super typhoon category is not ruled out,” Pagasa warned.

The state weather bureau likewise said that raising TCWS No, 4 is possible due to Julian.

The state weather bureau also added that the “tropical cyclone will be closest to Batanes and/or Babuyan Islands at or near peak intensity.”

Gale-force winds warning

The wind flow towards Julian may also bring strong to gale-force gusts over the following areas:

• Sunday, September 29: Aurora, Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon)
• Monday, September 30: Aurora, Pangasinan, Zambales, Bataan, Metro Manila, Calabarzon, Romblon, and Bicol Region.

Tracking Julian

Julian was last located some 380 kilometers east of Aparri, Cagayan, packing up maximum sustained winds of 75 kilometers per hour (kph), with gustiness of up to 90 kph while moving west – northwest at 15 kph.

Julian developed into a tropical storm on Saturday morning. Pagasa said that it may exit the Philippine area of responsibility by Wednesday evening or Thursday morning.