Rains and gusty winds are expected in areas affected by Tropical Depression "Julian" on Saturday, Sept. 28, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
"We will experience strong winds and rains in the areas of Cagayan and Babuyan Islands (Makakaranas tayo ng malalakas na hangin at mga ulan sa area ng Cagayan at Babuyan Islands)," said Department of Science and Technology (DOST)-PAGASA weather specialist Daniel James E. Villamil.
In its latest tropical cyclone bulletin, PAGASA said "Julian" maintained its strength while decelerating southward over the Philippine Sea.
PAGASA said "Julian" will follow a looping path over the waters east of Batanes and Cagayan in the next five days.
"Within the next 12 hours, this tropical cyclone is forecast to move southwestward before turning westward this afternoon while decelerating," PAGASA said.
Tropical Depression Julian is also expected to intensify throughout the forecast period and "may reach tropical storm category today."
PAGASA noted that "Julian" may reach the "typhoon category" by Sept. 30.
"There is an increasing likelihood of rapid intensification, and the possibility of reaching super typhoon category is not ruled out," PAGASA added.
PAGASA said the center of the eye was estimated 400 km east of Aparri, Cagayan, and is moving southward at 10 km/h, with maximum sustained winds of 55 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 70 km/h.
Areas under wind signal
Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1 is raised in Luzon — particularly in Cagayan, including Babuyan Islands, the northeastern portion of Isabela (San Pablo, Divilacan, Maconacon, Palanan, Cabagan, Santa Maria, Tumauini, Ilagan City, San Mariano, Santo Tomas, Delfin Albano), and the eastern portion of Apayao (Luna, Pudtol, Santa Marcela, Flora).
"Minimal to minor impacts from strong winds are possible within any of the areas under Wind Signal No. 1," PAGASA said.
PAGASA said the highest Wind Signal that may be hoisted during the occurrence of "Julian" is Wind Signal No. 4.
Tropical Depression Julian is also expected to bring strong gale-force gusts in some areas, especially in coastal and upland areas exposed to wind.
On Sept. 29, PAGASA said "Julian" would move generally northwestward until Oct. 1 before turning northward to north-northeastward for the remainder of the forecast period.
Based on the latest forecast track, PAGASA said "Julian" may make landfall over Batanes by the afternoon or evening of Sept. 30 as a typhoon and may exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility by the evening of Oct. 2 or early morning of Oct. 3.
Weather update
Aside from rains with gusty winds in Cagayan, including Babuyan Islands, and cloudy skies with scattered rains and thunderstorms in Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Abra, Apayao, Kalinga, Mt. Province, Ifugao, Batanes, and Isabela due to Tropical Depression Julian, PAGASA said Metro Manila and the rest of the country would experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms due to localized thunderstorms.
PAGASA warned of possible flash floods or landslides due to moderate to heavy, at times intense, rains, and minimal to minor threats to life and property due to strong winds.