Metro Manila, Philippines — Signal No. 1 is still up over northern Luzon areas as forecasters see Super Typhoon Julian (international name: Krathon) re-curving towards the sea southwest of Taiwan, according to an update Tuesday afternoon, Oct. 1.
“Julian” left the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) around the northwestern boundary on Tuesday morning but it is likely to re-enter the PAR on Wednesday.
In its 5 p.m. bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said it raised Signal No. 1 over the following: Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, the northern and western portions of Pangasinan, Apayao, Abra, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Benguet, Batanes, Cagayan including Babuyan Islands, the northern and western portions of Isabela, and the northwestern portion of Nueva Vizcaya.
Moderate to heavy rains are forecast over Batanes, Babuyan Islands, and Ilocos Norte.
Strong to gale-force winds are expected over Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, the northern and eastern portions of mainland Cagayan, the eastern portion of Isabela, and Zambales.
“Julian” was last spotted 245 kilometers (km) west of Itbayat, Batanes, outside PAR.
PAGASA said “Julian” destructive winds of 195 km per hour (kph) and gusts of up to 240 kph.
The bureau warned that the super typhoon “still has a window for brief intensification in the next 12 hours.”
The forecast suggested “Julian” would weaken to a severe tropical storm on Thursday as it passes over Taiwan.
Government meteorologists said the tropical cyclone is seen to recurve towards the sea southwest of Taiwan on Tuesday to early Wednesday morning.
It may make landfall along the southwestern coast of Taiwan on Wednesday afternoon before crossing Taiwan’s rugged terrain.
