The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) warned late Monday evening that tropical cyclone ‘Julian’ may still evolve into a super typhoon even as it lifted wind Signal No. 4 in Batanes and other affected islands.
“’Julian’ is forecast to reach super typhoon category within the next 24 hours, although there is possibility that the typhoon has already reached its peak intensity,” PAGASA said in its 11:00 PM weather bulletin.
“Increasing interaction with the mountainous terrain of Taiwan will slightly weaken JULIAN prior to making landfall. Its passage over Taiwan will result in ‘Julian’ being downgraded into a severe tropical storm on Thursday,” it stated further.
As of this posting, Signal No. 3 is hoisted over Batanes while Signal No. 2 is up over the Babuyan Islands, Ilocos Norte, the northern portion of Apayao (Calanasan, Luna) and the northwestern portion of mainland Cagayan (Santa Praxedes, Claveria, Sanchez-Mira, Abulug and Pamplona).
The following areas are under Signal No. 1: Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, the rest of Apayao, Kalinga, Abra, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Benguet, the rest of mainland Cagayan, Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, the northern portion of Aurora (Dilasag, Casiguran, Dinalungan), and the northern portion of Nueva Ecija (Carranglan, Lupao, Pantabangan).
PAGASA said ‘Julian’ maintained its strength as it continued to move westward over the Luzon Strait. It is forecast to turn west northwestward by Tuesday morning, then begin recurving towards the waters of southwest Taiwan.
The typhoon may briefly leave the Philippine area of responsibility tomorrow and make a landfall along the southwestern coast of Taiwan on Wednesday morning or afternoon. It will then cross the rugged terrain of Taiwan before emerging over the waters east of that territory in the coming days.
