'Kristine' to intensify into a tropical storm - Pagasa

MANILA, Philippines — Tropical Depression Kristine is expected to intensify into a tropical storm in 12 hours although it slightly decelerated while moving westward over the Philippine Sea, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said on Monday.

In its 5 p.m. bulletin, Pagasa said Signal No. 1 remains up in the southeastern portion of Isabela (Palanan and 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 and Real) including Polillo Islands, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Albay, Sorsogon, and Masbate including Ticao Island and Burias Island.

In Visayas, the same storm signal was raised in Eastern Samar, Northern Samar, Samar, Leyte, Biliran, and Southern Leyte and also over Dinagat Islands and Surigao del Norte including Siargao — Bucas Grande Group in Mindanao, the state weather bureau said.

The center of the tropical depression was estimated some 760 kilometers east of Catarman, Northern Samar while moving westward at 15 kilometers per hour (kph) with maximum sustained winds of 55 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 70 kph.

Pagasa said Kristine may intensify into a typhoon on Wednesday and make landfall in Northern Luzon either on Thursday night or Friday morning.