TD Julian expected to intensify but 'less likely' to cause severe weather in Philippines —PAGASA

Tropical Depression Julian is expected to intensify further in the next few hours although it is less likely to directly cause high impact weather over the country, PAGASA said Friday. 

PAGASA, in its 11 a.m. bulletin, said the raising of Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal is "unlikely" as Julian moves westward to west-northwestward.

"A continuous intensification is likely throughout the forecast period. 'JULIAN' is expected to reach tropical storm category within 12 hours and severe tropical storm category within 24 to 36 hours. It is forecast to reach typhoon category by Sunday morning," PAGASA said.

Julian is seen to move westward to west-northwestward this Friday to Saturday morning, then turn northward on Saturday evening.

Julian is seen to remain over the Philippine Sea throughout the forecast period, far from the landmass on the forecast track.

The Tropical Depression is expected to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) on Monday evening.

As of 10 a.m., the center of Tropical Depression Julian was estimated based on all available data at 940 km east of Casiguran, Aurora or 975 km east of Tuguegarao City, Cagayan (17.1 °N, 130.9 °E).

It is moving westward at 15 kph, with maximum sustained winds of 55 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 70 kph.

Meanwhile, the Southwest Monsoon is forecast to bring rough seas (2.5 to 3.5 m) over the seaboards of Batanes, Babuyan Islands, and Ilocos Norte.

Those with small seacrafts are advised not to venture out to sea, PAGASA warned. —Jamil Santos/KBK, GMA News