Batanes and northeastern Babuyan Islands are now experiencing peak typhoon-force winds caused by Typhoon “Julian” (international name: Krathon) as it continues to move over the Balintang Channel, the state weather bureau said.
PAGASA in a 5 a.m. weather bulletin warns of “significant to severe impacts from typhoon-force winds” in the localities of Batanes and the northern portion of Babuyan Islands where TCWS No. 4 is hoisted.
The weather disturbance is forecast to move generally west northwestward over the Balintang Channel today and pass very close to Balintang Island and Batanes, with a likelihood of making landfall.
“Julian” may reach super typhoon category on Tuesday, Oct. 1, as it continues to intensify, PAGASA noted, and is forecasted to remain as a typhoon until it exits the PAR region.
TCWS No. 3 is raised over the rest of Babuyan Islands and the northeastern portion of mainland Cagayan while TCWS No. 2 is hoisted over the rest of mainland Cagayan, Apayao, and Ilocos Norte.
Meanwhile, TCWS No 1. is currently affecting multiple areas in Luzon including Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Abra, Kalinga, Ifugao, Mountain Province, Benguet, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, Aurora, the northern and eastern portions of Nueva Ecija, and Polillo Islands.
The typhoon center was last estimated over the coastal waters of Balintang Island and Calayan, Cagayan, moving westward at 10 km/h, with maximum sustained winds of 155 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 190 kph.
On the track forecast, “Julian” is expected to begin recurving on Tuesday then turn generally northeastward on Wednesday towards the southwestern coast of Taiwan, and is estimated to exit the PAR region on Thursday morning or afternoon.
