TD Julian may become typhoon; Signal No. 3 possible

State weather bureau PAGASA said Tropical Depression Julian is expected to reach typhoon strength on Sunday and trigger the raising of Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 3.

"The highest Wind Signal which may be hoisted during the occurrence of JULIAN is Wind Signal No. 2 or 3," PAGASA said in its 11 a.m. bulletin on Friday.

"The tropical depression will continuously intensify throughout the forecast period and may reach tropical storm category tonight or tomorrow morning. Furthermore, it may become a typhoon on Sunday," it added.

TWCS No. 1 is expected to be hoisted over some parts of Cagayan Valley on Friday, according to PAGASA.

Cagayan may experience moderate to heavy rains in the next 24 hours due to Julian.

Strong to gale-force gusts are expected on Saturday over Aurora and the northern portion of Quezon, especially in coastal and upland areas exposed to winds.

Rough sea conditions of up to 3.0 meters may be experienced over the seaboards of Batanes and Babuyan Islands and the eastern seaboard of mainland Cagayan in the next 24 hours.

"Mariners of small seacrafts, including all types of motorbancas, are advised not to venture out to sea under these conditions, especially if inexperienced or operating ill-equipped vessels," PAGASA said.

Meanwhile, rough sea conditions of up to 2.5 meters are expected over the remaining seaboard of Cagayan and seaboard of Isabela.

"Mariners of motorbancas and similarly-sized vessels are advised to take precautionary measures while venturing out to sea and, if possible, avoid navigation under these conditions," PAGASA added.

Julian was located 525 kms. east of Itbayat, Batanes with maximum sustained winds of 55 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 70 kph, PAGASA said.

It was almost stationary, PAGASA added. — VDV, GMA Integrated News