Tropical Depression “Kristine” slightly decelerated and maintained its strength while moving west-southwestward over the Philippine Sea, according to the 5 p.m. bulletin of state weather bureau PAGASA on Monday.
“Kristine” was moving westward at 15 kilometers per hour (kph) with maximum sustained winds of 55 kph near the center and gustiness of 70 kph. Its eye’s center was last estimated 760 kilometers east of Catarman, Northern Samar.
The tropical depression could intensify into a tropical storm in the next 12 hours, a severe tropical storm on Wednesday, and a typhoon on Thursday before making landfall.
“Since this tropical cyclone is still over the Philippine Sea, rapid intensification is not ruled out given the favorable environmental conditions,” PAGASA reported.
Meanwhile, tropical cyclone wind signal no. 1 was raised over the southeastern portion of Isabela (Palanan, Dinapigue), Aurora, 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) including Pollilo Islands, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Albay, Sorsogon, and Masbate, including Ticao Island and Burias Island, Eastern Samar, Northern Samar, Samar, Leyte, Biliran, Southern Leyte, Dinagat Islands and Surigao del Norte including Siargao – Bucas Grande Group.
