Tropical Storm “Julian” (international name: Krathon) is now categorized as a severe tropical storm with a high chance of rapid intensification, the state weather bureau said, not ruling out the possibility of reaching super typhoon category.
PAGASA in a 5 a.m. weather bulletin said that “Julian” is moving west-northwest at 10 kilometers per hour, carrying peak winds of 95 kph and gusts of up to 115 kph.
The weather disturbance is forecast to move generally northwestward to west northwestward from today through Tuesday morning towards the Batanes-Babuyan Islands area, before accelerating north to north northeastward over the waters east of Taiwan for the rest of Tuesday onwards.
“Julian” will potentially make landfall or closely approach Batanes and Babuyan Islands, PAGASA noted.
Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 2 has been raised over the northeastern portion of Mainland Cagayan and the eastern portion of Babuyan Islands.
Meanwhile, TCWS No. 1 is raised over the following areas: Batanes, the rest of Cagayan, the rest of Babuyan Islands, Isabela, Apayao, Abra, Kalinga, the eastern and central portions of Mountain Province, the eastern portion of Ifugao, Ilocos Norte, the northern portion of Ilocos Sur, and the northern portion of Aurora.
The severe tropical storm is forecast to reach 235 km east northeast of Aparri, Cagayan later today, and 120 km southeast of Basco, Batanes early Monday morning.
By Friday, October 4, PAGASA says that “Julian” will exit PAR.
