Typhoon Julian. Handout/PAGASA

MANILA — Typhoon Julian (international name: Krathon) has maintained its strength as it movers over the waters of extreme northern Luzon.

In its 11 p.m. weather bulletin, PAGASA said the center of the eye of the typhoon was last located 155 kilometers west southwest of Itbayat, Batanes, packing maximum sustained winds of 175 kilometers per hour, with gusts of up to 215 kph.

It is moving westward at 15 kph over the Luzon Strait, and is forecast to turn west northwestward by Tuesday morning, before recurving towards the waters southwest of Taiwan.

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 3 is hoisted over Batanes and the northeastern portion of Babuyan Islands, where gale-force winds may be experienced within 18 hours.

Signal No. 2 is raised over the rest of Babuyan Islands, Ilocos Norte, the northern portion of Apayao and the northwestern portion of mainland Cagayan.

The following areas, meanwhile, are under Signal No. 1:

*Ilocos Sur

*La Union

*Pangasinan

*Rest of Apayao

*Kalinga

*Abra

*Mountain Province

*Ifugao

*Benguet

*Rest of mainland Cagayan

*Isabela

*Quirino

*Nueva Vizcaya

*Northern portion of Aurora (Dilasag, Casiguran, Dinalungan)

*Northern portion of Nueva Ecija (Carranglan, Lupao, Pantabangan)

PAGASA warned of intense to torrential rainfall over Batanes, Babuyan Islands and Ilocos Norte Tuesday, while mainland Cagayan, Apayao, Abra, Benguet and the rest of Ilocos region may experience heavy to intense rainfall.

Julian may reach super typhoon category within the next 24 hours, although PAGASA said there is possibility that the typhoon has already reached peak intensity.

The typhoon will briefly leave the Philippine area of responsibility Tuesday and make landfall along the wouthwestern coast of Taiwan, before emerging over the waters east of Taiwan.

It is expected to leave the PAR region on Thursday.

Several provinces in northern Philippines have already felt the impact of Julian on Monday.

Several local government units in northern Luzon have likewise suspended classes on Tuesday due to the typhoon.

Strong winds, heavy rains by typhoon Julian bring damage to Northern Luzon

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