‘Julian’ now a super typhoon

Metro Manila, Philippines — “Julian” (international name: Krathon) has intensified into the highest storm category with destructive winds bearing down on extreme northern Luzon areas, state weather forecasters reported on early Tuesday morning, Oct. 1

In its 5 a.m. bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) classified “Julian” as a super typhoon 205 kilometers (km) west of Itbayat, Batanes.

“There is a moderate to high risk of life-threatening storm surge in the next 48 hours over the low-lying or exposed coastal localities of Batanes and Babuyan Islands,” PAGASA warned.

Signal No. 2 is up over Batanes, Babuyan Islands, the northern portion of Ilocos Norte, and the northwestern portion of mainland Cagayan.

Signal No. 1 is raised over the rest of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Apayao, Kalinga, Abra, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Benguet, the rest of mainland Cagayan, Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, the northern portion of Aurora, and the northern portion of Nueva Ecija.

PAGASA said it sees intense to torrential rains in Batanes, Babuyan islands, and Ilocos Norte, and heavy to intense rains over Apayao Abra, Benguet, and Ilocos Sur.

Moderate to heavy rains are forecast over mainland Cagayan and the rest of the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) and the Ilocos region, it added.

Strong to gale-force winds are expected over Ilocos Region, CAR, the northern and eastern portions of mainland Cagayan, the eastern portion of Isabela, Aurora, Zambales, Bataan, Metro Manila, Calabarzon, Romblon, and Camarines Norte.

PAGASA said “Julian” was packing maximum sustained winds of 185 km per hour (kph) and gustiness of up to 230 kph.

The bureau warned that the super typhoon “still has a window for brief intensification in the next 24 hours.”

PAGASA said “Julian” brings sustained winds of 185 km per hour (kph) and gustiness of up to 230 kph.

The bureau warned that the super typhoon “still has a window for brief intensification in the next 24 hours.”

The forecast suggested “Julian” would weaken to a severe tropical storm on Thursday as it passes over Taiwan.

Government meteorologists said the tropical cyclone is seen to recurve towards the sea southwest of Taiwan on Tuesday to early Wednesday morning.

It may make landfall along the southwestern coast of Taiwan on Wednesday morning or afternoon before crossing Taiwan's rugged terrain.