‘Kristine’ stays strong as it prepares to make a landfall over Isabela

Severe tropical storm ‘Kristine’ maintained its strength as it was about to make a landfall and forecast to cross Northern Luzon over the next 12 hours, state weather bureau PAGASA reported late Wednesday.

The weather disturbance was expected to emerge over the waters west of Ilocos region by Thursday morning or afternoon. It will then move westward over the West Philippine Sea before leaving the Philippines by Friday evening, according to PAGASA’s forecast position.

“’Kristine’ may slightly weaken while crossing Northern Luzon due to land interaction, with downgrading into a tropical storm not ruled out. However, re-intensification may occur once the tropical cyclone moves over the West Philippine Sea,” PAGASA said in its 11 p.m. bulletin.

Tropical cyclone wind signal (TCWS) no. 3 remains hosted over the following locations in Luzon:

• Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, the southern portion of Abra (Malibcong, Licuan-Baay, Sallapadan, Daguioman, Bucloc, Boliney, Tubo, Luba, Manabo, Bucay, Villaviciosa, Pilar, San Isidro, Peñarrubia), Benguet, the northern and central portions of Aurora (Dilasag, Casiguran, Dinalungan, Dipaculao, Maria Aurora, Baler), the northern portion of Nueva Ecija (Carranglan, Lupao, San Jose City, Pantabangan, Guimba, Santo Domingo, Talavera, Llanera, Rizal, Bongabon, Talugtug, Science City of Muñoz, Cuyapo, Nampicuan), the northern portion of Tarlac (Mayantoc, San Clemente, Camiling, Santa Ignacia, Gerona, Paniqui, Moncada, San Manuel, Anao, Ramos, Pura, Victoria), the northern portion of Zambales (Candelaria, Santa Cruz, Masinloc), Pangasinan, La Union, and the central and southern portions of Ilocos Sur (Cervantes, Quirino, Sigay, Suyo, Alilem, Sugpon, Tagudin, Santa Cruz, Salcedo, Gregorio del Pilar, San Emilio, Lidlidda, Burgos, San Esteban, Santiago, Banayoyo, Galimuyod, City of Candon, Santa Lucia, Nagbukel, Santa Maria, Narvacan)

The following areas, meanwhile, are still under TCWS no. 2:

• Ilocos Norte, the rest of Ilocos Sur, Apayao, the rest of Abra, Cagayan including Babuyan Islands, the rest of Aurora, the rest of Nueva Ecija, Bulacan, the rest of Tarlac, Pampanga, the rest of Zambales, Bataan, Metro Manila, Cavite, Laguna, Rizal, Batangas, the northern and central portions of Quezon (Pitogo, Lucena City, Calauag, Pagbilao, Infanta, Tiaong, Lopez, Guinayangan, Unisan, General Luna, Plaridel, Quezon, San Antonio, Alabat, Candelaria, Lucban, Sampaloc, Padre Burgos, Sariaya, City of Tayabas, Macalelon, Mauban, Dolores, General Nakar, Perez, Agdangan, Gumaca, Atimonan, Real, Tagkawayan) including Polillo Islands, and the northwestern portion of Camarines Norte (Santa Elena, Vinzons, Labo, Capalonga, Paracale, San Vicente, Talisay, Daet, Jose Panganiban)

PAGASA also lifted wind signals in Mindanao areas, but kept the following under TCWS no. 1:

• LUZON – Batanes, the rest of Quezon, Occidental Mindoro including Lubang Islands, Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, the northern portion of mainland Palawan (El Nido, Taytay, Araceli, San Vicente, Dumaran, Roxas), Cuyo Islands, Calamian Islands, the rest of Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Albay, Sorsogon, and Masbate including Ticao and Burias Islands

• VISAYAS – Aklan, Capiz, Antique including Caluya Islands, Iloilo, Guimaras, the northern portion of Negros Occidental (Bago City, Pulupandan, Bacolod City, Murcia, Silay City, City of Talisay, Enrique B. Magalona, Manapla, City of Victorias, Cadiz City, Sagay City, City of Escalante, Toboso, Calatrava, Salvador Benedicto, San Carlos City, La Carlota City, San Enrique, Valladolid), the northern and portion of Cebu (Daanbantayan, Medellin, San Remigio, Tabogon, City of Bogo, Borbon, Tabuelan, Sogod, Catmon, Tuburan, Carmen, Asturias, Danao City, Balamban) including Bantayan Islands and Camotes Islands, Northern Samar, Samar, Biliran, the northern and eastern portions of Eastern Samar (Oras, Quinapondan, Can-Avid, Lawaan, Maslog, Balangiga, City of Borongan, San Policarpo, Taft, Llorente, Maydolong, Dolores, Giporlos, Jipapad, Arteche, Balangkayan, Sulat, San Julian, General Macarthur, Hernani), and the northern and central portions of Leyte (Kananga, Tunga, Pastrana, San Miguel, Matag-Ob, Tolosa, Palo, Calubian, Leyte, Mayorga, Julita, Carigara, Babatngon, Dagami, Jaro, San Isidro, Santa Fe, Albuera, Villaba, La Paz, Palompon, Macarthur, Tabontabon, Tanauan, Merida, Ormoc City, Isabel, Javier, Dulag, Capoocan, Alangalang, Burauen, Tabango, Tacloban City, Barugo, City of Baybay)