Severe Tropical Storm Kristine maintains strength off Pangasinan

MANILA, Philippines — Severe Tropical Storm Kristine (international name: Trami) has maintained its strength over the coastal waters of Bolinao, Pangasinan, state meteorologists said on Thursday night.

As of 11:00 p.m. Kristine’s center was spotted over the coastal waters of Bolinao town, packing maximum sustained winds of 95 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 145 kph while slowly moving south-southwest.

Kristine is forecast to move west over the next 12 hours and exit the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) on Friday afternoon.

“There is a developing forecast situation wherein Kristine will be looping over the West Philippine Sea on Sunday and Monday and move generally eastward towards the general direction of the PAR region,” Pagasa said.

“However, this scenario heavily depends on the behavior of the tropical cyclone east of the PAR region,” added Pagasa.

Kristine is forecast to re-intensify as it moves over the West Philippine Sea. 

“While it is likely that the tropical cyclone will remain a severe tropical storm in the next five days, the chance for it to be upgraded into a typhoon is not ruled out,” Pagasa said.