Tropical Cyclone Julian weakens into LPA, exits PAR

Tropical Cyclone Julian, internationally known as Krathon, weakened into a low-pressure area (LPA) on Friday, October 4, as it exited the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) for the second and final time.

The LPA was last spotted 480 kilometers north of Itbayat, Batanes, moving northward at 45 kilometers per hour, and is forecast to merge with a frontal system over Taiwan.

Julian caused at least five deaths, with four fatalities reported in the Ilocos Region and one in Cagayan Valley.

Damages to the agriculture sector amounted to P481.27 million.

Moderate to rough seas of up to 3.0 meters are expected over the seaboards of Northern Luzon and other affected areas, prompting advisories for small seacrafts to avoid sailing.

The country is expected to experience generally fair weather nationwide over the weekend, with isolated rain showers and thunderstorms in some regions due to the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) and easterlies.

PAGASA does not expect the formation of a new LPA or tropical cyclone inside the PAR over the weekend.