Tropical Depression Julian forms, may intensify into strong typhoon

A low-pressure area (LPA) inside the Philippine Area of Responsibility has developed into Tropical Depression Julian, according to PAGASA.

Julian is forecast to intensify into a strong typhoon over the next five days and may place Cagayan Valley under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 later Friday.

The tropical depression was located 525 kilometers east of Itbayat, Batanes, with maximum sustained winds of 55 kph near the center and gustiness up to 70 kph as of 4:00 a.m. on Friday.

Julian is expected to follow a looping path over waters east of Batanes and Cagayan before accelerating northward by Tuesday.

Two weather disturbances outside PAR - a tropical depression near Guam and another LPA near the boundary - are being monitored but will not affect any part of the Philippines, according to PAGASA.