It’s Sunday night here in the Philippines and Taiwan, and we’re keeping a close eye on Typhoon Julian, also known internationally as Krathon. The storm continues to strengthen, and there’s even a chance it could develop into a super typhoon as we head into Monday and Tuesday. The northern areas of Luzon are already feeling the impact of Julian’s rain bands, and reports of flooding are coming in from Ilocos Norte.
The Magat Dam has started releasing water preemptively to help prevent further flooding, which is always a smart move when these storms come through. Over in the Batanes Islands, Pagasa has issued Signal Force 4 warnings, with winds expected to reach 152 km/h and gusts up to 185 km/h in the storm’s core. Things are going to get intense as the typhoon moves over Batanes, likely just before sunrise on Monday.
Right now, the storm is well-organized, and it’s feeding off those warm sea surface temperatures. The eye is clearing out, which indicates it’s gaining strength. The outflow of the storm is allowing it to breathe and continue intensifying over the next 24 hours. By the time it hits Batanes, they’ll be dealing with potentially Cat 3 or even low-end Cat 4 conditions. Unfortunately, it’s an overnight event, so it’ll be hard for residents to track the storm until morning light.
As Julian moves away from northern Luzon by Tuesday morning, the focus will shift to Taiwan, especially along the southeast coastline. This area is known for its vulnerability during typhoons, and this storm will bring heavy rains, particularly for the east coast, and even for Taipei as moisture wraps around. Taiwan’s mountainous terrain is likely to enhance rainfall totals, leading to significant flooding risks.
For our friends in Batanes, you’re no strangers to typhoons, and the good news is that the islands are well-prepared for these types of storms. Still, everyone should stay cautious, as these winds and rain can be damaging. Across northwestern Luzon, especially around Ilocos Norte, there’s a high flood risk as the typhoon moves through. Classes have already been suspended in many areas, and I’m sure more updates will follow as conditions worsen.
By Tuesday night, we expect Julian to hit Taiwan’s southeastern coast and begin to weaken as it interacts with the mountains. But even after the typhoon moves on, the northeast monsoon will keep things rainy and windy, especially for Taiwan and parts of Luzon.
Please remember to stay updated with official sources like Pagasa and have a go-bag ready if evacuation becomes necessary. The heavy rains and flood risks are no joke, so let’s stay smart and safe.
I’ll keep you posted with more updates when I can. Shout out to everyone supporting the channel on Patreon – your contributions make these updates possible. Stay safe, friends, and feel free to share your photos and videos with me. As always, I’m here to answer any questions you have!
Take care, and if you’re in the storm’s path, stay safe and prepared. 🌧️💨