Philippine Sea: Typhoon Krathon tracking westward to the northeast of the Philippines Sept. 29 /update 2

Typhoon Krathon (named Julian in the Philippines) is tracking westward over the Philippine Sea to the northeast of the Philippines Sept. 29. As of 14:00 PHST, the system's center of circulation was approximately 576 km (358 miles) northeast of Manila, Philippines.

Forecast models indicate that the storm will strengthen as it tracks northwestward Sept. 29-30, before passing over the Batanes Islands, Philippines, late Sept. 30. Krathon is expected to weaken slightly as it turns to track northeastward Oct. 1 and passes very close to the east coast of Taiwan late Oct. 1-early Oct. 3. The storm will continue to weaken but remain a typhoon as it tracks northeastward between northeastern Taiwan and Japan's Yaeyama Islands early Oct. 3. and moves across the East China Sea Oct. 3-4. Some uncertainty remains in the track and intensity forecast, and significant changes could occur in the coming days.

As of Sept. 29, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has issued a weather bulletin advising that the system will bring strong winds to northern regions and rough seas to coastal waters. PAGASA has issued the following wind signals for the storm:

• Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal (TCWS) 3 (the middle level on a five-tier scale): Northeastern parts of the Babuyan Islands.

• TCWS 2: Batanes, mainland Cagayan, the rest of Babuyan Islands, Apayao, and central and northern Ilocos Norte.

• TCWS 1: The rest of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, northern La Union, Abra, Kalinga, Ifugao, Mountain Province, central and northern Benguet, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, and central and northern Aurora.

A separate weather advisory has also been issued for heavy rainfall associated with the storm system across northern regions. Rainfall totals of over 20 cm (8 inches) are expected in Batanes Province and the Babuyan Islands Sept. 29-Oct. 1 and Ilocos Norte Province Sept. 29-30. Totals of 10-20 cm (4-8 inches) are expected in mainland Cagayan, Ilocos Sur, and Abra provinces Sept. 29-30, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, and Abra Sept. 30-Oct. 1, and Batanes and the Bauyan Islands Oct. 1-2. Rainfall totals of 5-10 cm (2-4 inches) are expected across other northern parts of Luzon over the coming days. Officials will likely update and extend the coverage of the relevant weather alerts over the coming days as the system progresses.

Sustained heavy rainfall could trigger flooding in low-lying areas and those with easily overwhelmed drainage systems. If weather conditions prove hazardous, localized evacuations, flash flooding, and landslides are possible.

The inclement weather could trigger localized business, transport, and utility disruptions and render some bridges or roadways impassable. Flight disruptions at regional airports and temporary closures of ports are also possible. Exposure to raw sewage and other hazardous materials mixed with floodwaters poses a serious health threat.