Signal No. 3 up in part of Babuyan Islands as Julian intensifies

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 3 was raised over the northeastern portion of Babuyan Islands as Severe Tropical Storm Julian intensified over the Philippine Sea east of Cagayan, according to PAGASA on Sunday morning.

Due to this, storm-force winds greater than 89 to 117 km/h may be expected in this part of the Babuyan Islands in at least 18 hours.

The state weather bureau said that TCWS No. 2, has been hoisted over Batanes, the northeastern portion of mainland Cagayan (Santa Ana), and the rest of Babuyan Islands (Camiguin Is., Calayan Is., Dalupiri Is., Fuga Is.).

Winds of greater than 62 km/h and up to 88 km/h may be expected in at least 24 hours.

The following areas, on the other hand, are under TCWS No. 1:

• The rest of Cagayan
• Isabela
• Apayao
• Abra
• Kalinga
• Mountain Province
• Ifugao
• Ilocos Norte
• Ilocos Sur
• The northern portion of Benguet (Bakun, Mankayan, Buguias)
• The northern portion of Aurora (Dilasag, Casiguran)

These areas may experience winds ranging 39-61 km/h in at least 36 hours or intermittent rains within the next 36 hours that may result in minimal to minor threat to life and property.

As of 11 a.m., PAGASA said that the center of the eye of Julian was estimated 285 km east of Aparri, Cagayan. 

It was moving slowly northwestward, with a maximum sustained winds of 110 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 135 km/h.

The highest wind signal that may be hoisted during the occurrence of Julian is Wind Signal No. 4, said PAGASA.

The wind flow coming towards the circulation of the storm may also bring strong to gale-force gusts over the following areas, especially in coastal and upland areas exposed to winds:

• Sunday: Aurora, Calabarzon, Romblon, and Bicol Region
• Monday: Pangasinan, Zambales, Bataan, Aurora, Quezon, 

Coastal waters

A gale warning is currently hoisted over the northern and eastern seaboards of Northern Luzon, meaning sea travel is risky for small seacrafts, including all types of motor bancas.

According to PAGASA, the following coastal waters may have a very rough sea condition:

• Up to 9.0 m over the seaboards of Batanes
• Up to 7.0 m over the seaboards of Babuyan Islands

Rough sea condition, on the other hand, is expected over the following coastal waters:

• Up to 4.5 m over the northern seaboard of mainland Cagayan and the northern seaboard of Ilocos Norte
• Up to 3.5 m over and the remaining seaboard of Cagayan and the seaboard of Isabela
• Up to 3.0 m over the seaboard of the northern portion of Aurora 

Meanwhile, a moderate sea condition of up to 2.5 meters may be seen in the remaining seaboard of Ilocos Norte.

According to PAGASA, Julian will continue to intensify throughout the forecast period and reach typhoon category this evening.

“There is high chance of rapid intensification, and the possibility of reaching super typhoon category is not ruled out. This tropical cyclone will be closest to Batanes and/or Babuyan Islands at or near peak intensity,” the weather bureau said.

Julian is also seen to move generally west northwestward to northwestward from Sunday through Tuesday morning towards the Batanes-Babuyan Islands area, before accelerating north to north northeastward over the waters east of Taiwan on Tuesday afternoon onwards.

Based on the track forecast, PAGASA said a landfall or close approach scenario by Monday over Batanes and/or Babuyan Islands is “highly likely.”—Giselle Ombay/RF, GMA Integrated News