BY ELLALYN RUIZ
A slow-moving severe tropical storm “Julian” (international name “Maysak”) is rapidly intensifying as it draws more fuel from the sea.
Before noon today, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) estimated the location of Julian at 850 kilometers east of Tuguegarao City, Cagayan, with maximum sustained winds of 100 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness up to 125 kph.
Julian is undergoing a period of rapid intensification and may become a typhoon by this afternoon or tonight, reaching its peak intensity by Monday, according to PAGASA.
PAGASA classifies a tropical cyclone under typhoon category once it reaches wind speed of 118 to 220 kph.
Julian is currently almost stationary over the Philippine Sea and will move slowly north Saturday then gradually accelerate generally north Sunday before turning northwest Monday, PAGASA said.
Considering its latest forecast track, the State weather bureau said the tropical cyclone will remain over the Philippine Sea throughout the forecast period, far from the landmass.
It is seen to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility Monday night.
The possibility of raising a tropical cyclone wind signal is unlikely throughout the forecast period, PAGASA said, as Julian is “less likely to directly cause high impact weather over the country.”
Cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms from the outer circulation of Julian may affect Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Sorsogon, Masbate, Quezon, Aurora, Isabela, and Cagayan.
The tropical cyclone-enhanced southwest monsoon or habagat may bring isolated rain showers and thunderstorms over Metro Manila and the rest of the country.
The habagat may also cause moderate to rough seas over the seaboards of Northern Luzon and the eastern seaboard of Central Luzon.
Those with small sea craft were advised to take precautionary measures while venturing out to sea.(Ellalyn V. Ruiz)
