Julian nears Taiwan Strait, Signal No. 1 remains over nine Luzon areas

Super Typhoon Julian begins to weaken near Taiwan Strait southwest of Taiwan outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) but Signal No. 1 remains hoisted over nine Luzon areas, according to the latest Tropical Cyclone Bulletin posted by PAGASA.

The center of the eye of Super Typhoon Julian was estimated at 270 kilometers west northwest of Itbayat, Batanes outside the PAR packing maximum sustained winds of 185 kilometers per hour near the center, gustiness of up to 230 kph, and central pressure of 925 hPa.

Julian is moving north northwestward slowly with strong to typhoon-force winds extend outwards up to 560 km from the center.

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No.1 is hoisted over the following areas:

• Batanes
• Babuyan Islands
• mainland Cagayan
• Apayao
• Kalinga
• Abra
• Mountain Province
• Ilocos Norte
• Ilocos Sur

There will be minimal to minor impacts from strong winds are possible within any of the areas under Wind Signal No. 1.

A Gale Warning is hoisted over the northern seaboard of Northern Luzon.

Meanwhile, very rough seas over the following coastal waters:

• Up to 5.0 m over the seaboard of Batanes

• Up to 4.5 m over the seaboard of Babuyan Islands and the northern seaboard of Ilocos Norte

Moderate or rough seas over the following coastal waters:

• Up to 4.0 m over the remaining seaboard of Ilocos Norte

• Up to 3.5 m over the seaboard of Ilocos Sur

• Up to 3.0 m over the remaining seaboards of Ilocos Region, and the seaboard of mainland Cagayan

• Up to 2.5 m over the seaboard of Zambales and the seaboard of Isabela

PAGASA warned that sea travel remains risky and mariners are advised not to venture out to sea under these conditions, especially if inexperienced or operating ill-equipped vessels.

Track and Intensity Outlook

Super Typhoon Julian is forecast to recurve northeastward on Wednesday morning and re-enter the PAR in the afternoon or evening, and make landfall over the southwestern coast of Taiwan tomorrow evening or on Thursday early morning.

PAGASA also reported that Julian will cross the mountainous terrain of Taiwan and emerge over the sea east of Taiwan on Thursday morning or afternoon, continue moving northeastward until Friday morning before turning northwestward over the East China Sea for the remainder of the forecast period.

"On the track forecast, JULIAN may re-exit the PAR region on Thursday evening or Friday morning," the agency said.

"At present, there is no dominant weather system influencing the general motion of Julian. As such, considerable shifts in the track forecast of succeeding bulletins are not ruled out," the agency added. — BAP, GMA Integrated News