PAGASA places more areas under storm signals as ‘Kristine’ barrels across Philippine Sea

State Weather forecasters said that Tropical Depression Kristine had decelerated slightly on Monday afternoon as it moved west towards the Philippine Sea.

According to the report, as of 4 p.m., Kristine was located 760 km east of Catarman, Northern Samar, packing maximum winds of 55 kph and gusts up to 70 kph. 

The said storm was moving westward at 15 kph. 

On the other hand strong winds from the disturbance reach up to 800 km from its center.

Meanwhile, Tropical Wind Signal No. 1 was raised in:

• • Southeastern portion of Isabela (Palanan, Dinapigue)
• • Aurora
• • 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
• • Masbate including Ticao Island and Burias Island
• • Eastern Samar
• • Northern Samar
• • Samar
• • Leyte
• • Biliran
• • Southern Leyte
• • Dinagat Islands
• • Surigao del Norte including Siargao – Bucas Grande Group

Likewise the said weather disturbance is said to move west southwestward until Tuesday morning before turning generally west northwestward. 

PAGASA said the storm may make landfall over northern Luzon on Thursday night or Friday morning.

Kristine also said that the forecast is set to intensify into a tropical storm in the next 12 hours. 

It may reach a severe tropical storm category on Wednesday, and typhoon category on Thursday before making landfall.

It may exit the Philippine area of responsibility by Saturday afternoon.