Tropical cyclone “Julian” has intensified into a tropical storm from a tropical depression, according to the Saturday 11 a.m. bulletin of state weather bureau PAGASA.
The tropical storm’s center was last estimated 465 kilometers east of Aparri in Cagayan. It is slowly moving south-southeastward.
Julian has maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 80 kph.
The tropical storm is forecast to move west-southwestward or westward today, then generally northwestward tomorrow through Monday toward the Batanes-Babuyan Islands area, before accelerating north-northeastward over the waters east of Taiwan from October 1 onward.
Julian will continue to intensify throughout the forecast period and is expected to reach the typhoon category on Monday.
“There is an increasing likelihood of rapid intensification, and the possibility of reaching super typhoon category is not ruled out. This tropical cyclone will be closest to Batanes and/or Babuyan Islands at or near peak intensity,” PAGASA reported.
Meanwhile, Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TWCS) No. 1 is hoisted over Batanes, Cagayan, including Babuyan Islands, the northern and eastern portions of Isabela (San Pablo, Divilacan, Maconacon, Palanan, Cabagan, Santa Maria, Tumauini, Ilagan City, San Mariano, Santo Tomas, Delfin Albano, Dinapigue), Apayao, and Ilocos Norte.
