Severe tropical storm ‘Kristine’ accelerated outside the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) on Friday afternoon, but a new weather disturbance is being closely monitored.
According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, a tropical storm near Guam internationally named ‘Kong-rey’ may enter the Philippines on Sunday. The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) would call it ‘Leon.’
As of 5:00 p.m., PAGASA said ‘Kristine’ was estimated at 410 kilometers west of Sinait, Ilocos Sur outside PAR. It was moving west northwestward at 30 km/h with maximum sustained winds of 95 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 115 km/h.
With its departure, the state weather bureau downgraded all tropical cyclone wind signals (TCWS) earlier raised in areas along the storm’s path. As of this posting, the following locations remain under Signal No. 1:
· Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Apayao, Kalinga, Abra, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Benguet, Cagayan including Babuyan Islands, Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Zambales, Bataan, Pampanga, Bulacan, Metro Manila, the northern portion of Rizal (Cainta, Rodriguez, San Mateo, City of Antipolo, Taytay), and the northern portion of Cavite (Ternate, Naic, Tanza, Rosario, Bacoor City, Kawit, Noveleta, Cavite City, City of General Trias, Imus City, Maragondon)
PAGASA said ‘Kristine’ will continue moving westward over the West Philippine Sea until on Saturday and may loop counterclockwise either on Sunday or Monday. It will then move eastward for the remainder of the forecast period.
“However, this scenario heavily depends on the behavior of the tropical cyclone east of the PAR region and the behavior of other synoptic weather systems surrounding ‘Kristine’ while over the West Philippine Sea,” the weather agency explained.
‘Kristine’ is forecast to gradually intensify over the West Philippine Sea. While it is likely that the tropical cyclone will remain at severe tropical storm category within the next two days, the chance for it to be upgraded into a typhoon is not ruled out, according to PAGASA.
