Kristine intensifies into a tropical storm, more than 20 areas under Signal No. 1

Kristine intensified into a tropical storm on Tuesday as it continued moving westward, according to the latest tropical cyclone bulletin posted by PAGASA.

The center of the eye of Kristine (international name: Trami) was estimated at 390 kilometers east of Virac, Catanduanes, packing maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour near the center, with gustiness of up to 80 kph and moving westward at 15 km/h.

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) no. 1 was raised over the following areas: 

Luzon

• the eastern and central portions of mainland Cagayan (Piat, Santo Nino, Camalaniugan, Tuao, Lal-Lo, Enrile, Gonzaga, Alcala, Amulung, Santa Teresita, Baggao, Buguey, Solana, Rizal, Santa Ana, Tuguegarao City, Gattaran, Peñablanca, Iguig, Lasam, Aparri, Allacapan);
• Isabela;
• Quirino;
• the southern portion of Nueva Vizcaya (Alfonso Castañeda);
• Aurora;
• the eastern portion of Rizal (Tanay, Pililla, Jala-Jala);
• the eastern portion of Laguna (Majayjay, Magdalena, Pila, Santa Cruz, Pagsanjan, Luisiana, Cavinti, Lumban, Kalayaan, Paete, Pakil, Pangil, Siniloan, Famy, Santa Maria, Mabitac, Nagcarlan, Liliw);
• the northern and eastern portions of Quezon (Tagkawayan, Guinayangan, Buenavista, San Narciso, San Andres, General Nakar, Pitogo, San Francisco, Calauag, Pagbilao, Infanta, Lopez, Catanauan, Mulanay, Unisan, General Luna, Plaridel, Quezon, Alabat, Sampaloc, Padre Burgos, Macalelon, Mauban, Perez, Agdangan, Gumaca, Atimonan, Real, Lucena City, Lucban, City of Tayabas);
• Polillo Islands;
• Marinduque;
• Romblon;
• Camarines Norte;
• Camarines Sur;
• Catanduanes;
• Albay;
• Sorsogon;
• Masbate including Ticao Island and Burias Island;

Visayas

• Eastern Samar;
• Northern Samar;
• Samar;
• Leyte;
• Biliran;
• Southern Leyte;

Mindanao

• Dinagat Islands;
• Surigao del Norte; and
• Siargao - Bucas Grande Group.

Heavy rainfall

Bicol Region, Eastern Visayas, Isabela, Quirino, Aurora, and Quezon will have rains with gusty winds due to Kristine with the possibility that flash floods or landslides will occur due to moderate to heavy with at times intense rains. Minimal to minor threat to lives and properties may occur due to strong winds.

Metro Manila, the rest of Luzon, Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi will have cloudy skies with scattered rains and thunderstorms due to the trough of Kristine with the possibility that flash floods or landslides will occur due to moderate to heavy rains.

The rest of Mindanao will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms also due to the trough of Kristine. Flash floods or landslides may occur during severe thunderstorms.

Severe winds

"The wind signals warn the public of the general wind threat over an area due to the tropical cyclone. Local winds may be slightly stronger/enhanced in coastal and upland/mountainous areas exposed to winds. Winds are less strong in areas sheltered from the prevailing wind direction," PAGASA reported, adding that minimal to minor impacts from strong winds are possible within any of the areas under TCWS No. 1.

The weather bureau also reported that the wind flow coming towards the circulation of Kristine and the northeasterly windflow will also bring strong to gale-force gusts over the following areas (especially in coastal and upland areas exposed to winds): Batanes, Babuyan Islands, Ilocos Region, Palawan, Romblon, Aklan, Antique, Negros Island Region, Central Visayas, Southern Leyte, Zamboanga del Norte, Northern Mindanao, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, Agusan del Norte, Sarangani, Davao del Sur, and Davao Oriental.

Hazards affecting coastal waters

A gale warning was hoisted over the eastern seaboard of Luzon, the southern seaboard of Southern Luzon, and the eastern seaboard of Visayas.

"Sea travel is risky all types or tonnage of vessels. All mariners must remain in port or, if underway, seek shelter or safe harbor as soon as possible until winds and waves subside," said PAGASA.

Track and intensity outlook

"Kristine is forecast to move northwestward to west northwestward until Thursday (24 October) before turning westward for the rest of the forecast period," the bureau said.

It may make landfall over Isabela on Wednesday evening and may exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility by Friday evening. However, the forecast track may change, depending on the movement of the weather systems surrounding this tropical cyclone in the next few days.

Kristine, PAGASA said, is forecast to remain as a tropical storm in the next 24 hours and may reach severe tropical storm category on Wednesday.

Kristine may make landfall over Isabela as a severe tropical storm. It is forecast to reach typhoon category on Friday as it emerges over the West Philippine Sea.

"Since this tropical cyclone is still over the Philippine Sea, rapid intensification is not ruled out given the favorable environmental conditions," said PAGASA.

Due to the unfavorable weather brought about by Kristine, classes on Tuesday, October 22, 2024, have been suspended in some areas. — BAP/KG, GMA Integrated News