The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said on Wednesday, Oct. 2 that “Julian” (international name “Krathon”) has weakened into a typhoon while continuously moving slowly toward Taiwan.
In PAGASA’s 5 a.m. bulletin, Julian was downgraded from a super typhoon to a typhoon, with maximum sustained winds of 165 kilometers per hour (kph) and gusts of up to 205 kph.
Its center was located 280 kilometers west-northwest of Itbayat, Batanes, or outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR).
Strong winds from Julian continue to affect parts of Luzon, prompting Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 to remain hoisted over Batanes, Babuyan Islands, northern and western portions of Ilocos Norte (Pasuquin, Sarrat, Paoay, Bangui, Vintar, Burgos, Pagudpud, Bacarra, Currimao, Adams, Pinili, San Nicolas, Dumalneg, Laoag City, Badoc, City of Batac), and northwestern portion of mainland Cagayan (Santa Praxedes, Sanchez-Mira, Claveria).
Meanwhile, the impact of Julian’s rainfall has lessened and is expected to bring moderate to heavy rainfall to Batanes and Babuyan Islands.
Based on its latest bulletin, PAGASA has noted a significant change in Julian's forecast track.
Currently, there is no dominant weather system influencing the general motion of Julian. As such, considerable shifts in the track forecast in subsequent bulletins cannot be ruled out, it said.
Julian was initially projected to re-enter the PAR on Wednesday, but it may now do so on Thursday, Oct. 3.
In addition, while it was expected to exit the PAR on Thursday, it could now exit between Friday, Oct. 5, and Saturday, Oct. 6.
However, PAGASA said the typhoon is still expected to turn northeastward toward the southwestern coast of Taiwan, where it is expected to make landfall on Wednesday night or early Thursday morning.
Julian may continue to weaken and could become a remnant low by the weekend.