MANILA – Tropical Depression (TD) Kristine slightly decelerated, now moving 15 kph westward, and a change in its forecast track is not ruled out, the weather bureau said Monday.
In its 5 p.m. advisory, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Kristine was last located 760 kilometers east of Catarman, Northern Samar. It is highly likely to make landfall over Northern Luzon either Thursday or Friday.
“Changes in forecast track is not ruled out, depending on the movement of the weather systems surrounding this tropical cyclone in the next few days,” PAGASA said.
Kristine packs maximum sustained winds of 55 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 70 kph.
Strong winds will prevail in areas where tropical cyclone wind signal no. 1 has been hoisted: 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, and Southern Leyte, Dinagat Islands and Surigao del Norte including Siargao – Bucas Grande.
The TD and the northeasterly windflow will also cause strong to gale-force gusts over Batanes, Ilocos Norte, Cagayan, the southern portion of Palawan, Siquijor, Bohol, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, Agusan del Norte, BARMM, Sarangani, Davao del Sur, and Davao Oriental.
Meanwhile, a gale warning is hoisted over the eastern seaboards of Southern Luzon and the Visayas.
PAGASA forecast up to very rough seas to prevail coastal waters over the northern and eastern seaboards of the Bicol Region, the northern and eastern seaboards of Northern Samar, the seaboards of Isabela, Aurora, Polillo Islands, and the eastern seaboards of mainland Cagayan.
Sea travel is risky for all types or tonnage of vessels.
“Mariners must remain in port or, if underway, seek shelter or safe harbor as soon as possible until winds and waves subside,” PAGASA said.
More rains, strong winds
In an interview over PTV 4, PAGASA forecaster Veronica Torres said the TD might reach the typhoon category on Thursday.
“A typhoon has wind speed of 180 to 184 kph, and could uproot trees,” she said.
Torres said Kristine is also forecast to bring up to 20 mm of rains across Northern and Central Luzon, and Eastern Visayas on Tuesday.
“This tropical cyclone has a high chance of making landfall over Northern Luzon either on Thursday or Friday. Prior to that, many areas would experience scattered rains, strong winds, and gusty conditions,” Torres said.
Kristine is forecast to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility either Friday or Saturday. (PNA)