Kristine can strengthen into super typhoon, says Pagasa

MANILA, Philippines — Tropical Depression Kristine can become a super typhoon, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).

Pagasa Weather Division Chief Juanito Galang said the development of super typhoons is more common at the end of the year, thus, they are not ruling out such a possibility for Kristine.

In a press conference, Galang noted that Tropical Depression Kristine’s track is similar to Super Typhoon Lawin (international name: Jelawat), which entered the Philippine area of responsibility from the Pacific Ocean and then moved west-northwestward in 2012.

“We are not eliminating the possibility of a super typhoon because it is at the end of the year when storms usually reach the super typhoon category,” he explained in mixed Filipino and English.

“So there is still a chance for this scenario,” he added.

READ: Tropical Depression Kristine: 15 areas nationwide under Signal No. 1

Like Lawin, Kristine is forecast to mainly affect Northern Luzon, according to Galang. Although it may still change its track in the next 24 hours.

“We are waiting until tomorrow to see if the effect descends on Central Luzon,” he said in mixed Filipino and English.

READ: Tropical Depression Kristine enters PAR, to intensify into a typhoon

Kristine’s anticipated effects will be high precipitation over the majority of Luzon and light to occasional moderate rains in Visayas and Mindanao.

Tropical Depression Kristine was spotted 870 kilometers east of Eastern Visayas as of 10 a.m., October 21, carrying maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour (kph) and gustiness of up to 70 kph while moving west southwestward at 30 kph.

Despite being relatively far from the country currently, Pagasa raised Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 over 15 areas nationwide.

Kristine is the 11th storm to hit the Philippines this year.