Kristine enters PAR, may become typhoon
MANILA, Philippines — Tropical Depression Kristine entered the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) and is expected to intensify into a typhoon and make landfall in Northern Luzon by Thursday evening or Friday morning, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said yesterday.
“Sunday night, the low-pressure area (LPA) that we are monitoring developed into a tropical depression. It entered PAR (Monday) midnight,” PAGASA administrator Nathaniel Servando said during a press conference.
PAGASA weather specialist Veronica Torres said Kristine is still far from the Philippine landmass but is already affecting almost all areas in the country.
“Its circulation is elongated, that’s why Tropical Depression Kristine is already affecting the eastern portion of Southern Luzon and the Visayas. Its trough or extension is currently affecting almost the entire country,” Torres said.
As of 5 p.m. yesterday, the center of Kristine was located at 760 kilometers east of Catarman, Northern Samar, with maximum sustained winds of 55 km per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 70 kph as it slightly decelerates while moving westward over the Philippine Sea at 15 kph.
Torres said Kristine, after 24 hours, is expected to be located at 490 km east of Virac, Catanduanes and may intensify into a tropical storm.
After 48 hours, Kristine may further intensify into a severe tropical storm and will be located 520 km east of Baler in Aurora, she added.
“After 72 hours, Kristine will approach the landmass, mostly Northern Luzon area with location of 520 km east of Baler, Aurora and it will intensify into a severe tropical storm category at 15 kph movement,” Torres also said, noting that Kristine is expected to make landfall in Northern Luzon.
She added that there is a probability that Kristine will also make landfall in Central Luzon.
According to Torres, Tropical Depression Kristine may further intensify after it makes landfall in Northern Luzon on Thursday evening or Friday morning.
Juanito Galang, PAGASA in-charge deputy administrator for operations and services, said the weather bureau does not discount the possibility that Kristine will
