Kristine gains strength, to hit northern Luzon

Tropical Storm Kristine was forecast to strengthen before it makes landfall over Northern Luzon tonight or early tomorrow morning, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

- By ROMINA CABRERA

Kristine could intensify into a severe tropical storm before making landfall over Isabela or northern Aurora by early tomorrow morning.

The cyclone was monitored 390 kilometers east of Daet, Camarines Norte, moving west-northwest at 15 km per hour, with maximum sustained winds of 75 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 90 kph.

PAGASA said tropical cyclone wind Signal No. 3 could be the highest signal raised during Kristine's passage.

Tropical cyclone wind Signal No. 2 has been hoisted over Catanduanes, the eastern portion of Camarines Norte, the eastern portion of Albay and the eastern portion of Sorsogon in Luzon, as well as in the northeastern portion of Northern Samar and the northern portion of Eastern Samar in the Visayas.

Meanwhile, TCWS No. 1 was raised over Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Apayao, Kalinga, Abra, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Benguet, Cagayan including Babuyan Islands, Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Aurora, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Zambales, Bataan, Pampanga, Bulacan, Metro Manila, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon.

The same wind signal was raised over Occidental Mindoro including Lubang Islands, Oriental Mindoro, Masbate including Ticao and Burias Islands, Marinduque, Romblon, the rest of Camarines Norte, the rest of Camarines Sur, the rest of Albay and the rest of Sorsogon.

Stormy conditions due to Kristine are forecast over Bicol Region, Isabela, Aurora and Quezon. Kristine is also bringing rains with gusty winds over Metro Manila, the rest of Luzon, Eastern Visayas, Dinagat Islands and Surigao del Norte.

Its trough will bring scattered rains over Zamboanga Peninsula, northern Mindanao, BARMM, Soccsksargen and the rest of the Visayas. The rest of Mindanao may see isolated rains due to the trough.

Kristine was expected to cross northern Luzon and emerge over the waters of Ilocos Region by tomorrow afternoon or evening.