Metro Manila, Philippines – A low pressure area inside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) has developed into a tropical depression, weather bureau Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said on Friday, Sept. 27.
Named ‘Julian’, the cyclone was last spotted 525 kilometers East of Itbayat, Batanes, packing maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour (km/h) and gusts of up to 70 km/h. PAGASA said ‘Julian’ may follow a looping path over the waters of Batanes and Cagayan in the next five days. It may strengthen into a tropical storm on Friday night, and reach typhoon Category on Sunday. “Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 may be hoisted over portions of Cagayan Valley within the day. Furthermore, the highest wind signal which may be hoisted during the occurrence of Julian is Wind Signal No. 2 or 3,” PAGASA said in its 5 a.m. bulletin.Forecasters said moderate to heavy rains may persist over Batanes, Cagayan, Ilocos Norte, Apayao, and Isabela. Meanwhile, PAGASA is also monitoring two weather disturbances outside PAR – a low pressure area east of Luzon, and a tropical cyclone near Guam.“None of them ay papasok ng ating PAR at makakaapekto sa alinmang panig ng ating bansa,” forecaster Benison Estareja said.
