Tropical Depression “Kristine” (international name: Trami) has intensified into a tropical storm and is forecast to keep its status as a tropical storm in the next 24 hours, the state weather bureau said.
PAGASA in a 5 a.m. weather bulletin said that “Kristine” is moving westward at 15 kilometers per hour, carrying peak winds of 65 kph and gusts of up to 80 kph.
The weather disturbance is forecast to move northwestward to west northwestward until Thursday before turning westward for the rest of the forecast period.
Tropical storm “Kristine” can potentially make landfall over Isabela on Wednesday and may exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility by Friday evening.
At the time of writing, PAGASA has not ruled out changes in the forecast track depending on the movement of the weather systems surrounding “Kristine.”
Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1 has been raised over the eastern and central portions of mainland Cagayan, Isabela, Quirino, the southern portion of Nueva Vizcaya (Alfonso Castañeda), Aurora, the eastern portion of Rizal, the eastern portion of Laguna, the northern and eastern portions of Quezon, Polillo Islands, Marinduque, Romblon, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Albay, Sorsogon, and Masbate.
TCWS No. 1 is also hoisted over Eastern Samar, Northern Samar, Samar, Leyte, Biliran, Southern Leyte, Dinagat Islands and Surigao del Norte including Siargao – Bucas Grande Group.
The tropical storm is forecast to reach severe tropical storm category on Wednesday and enter typhoon category on Friday as it emerges over the West Philippine Sea. PAGASA has not ruled out rapid intensification as “Kristine” traverses the West Philippine Sea.
