Severe Tropical Storm Julian. PAGASA photo

MANILA (UPDATED) — Severe Tropical Storm Julian further intensified before noon on Sunday, threatening northern Luzon areas with strong winds, towering waves, and intense rains that could trigger landslides and floods, the state weather agency said.

Batanes, the lightly populated province located at the nation's northernmost tip, and the Babuyan Islands are particularly forecast to bear the brunt of the extreme weather conditions caused by Julian, which could still strengthen into a super typhoon.

Batanes and the Babuyan Islands could see waves reaching up to 9 meters along their seaboards and experience torrential rains beginning Sunday, PAGASA said.

Julian is predicted to unleash gale-force winds as it hits land or makes a close approach over these areas on Monday, according to the weather bureau.

Severe Tropical Storm Julian is now packing maximum sustained winds of 110 kilometers per hour near the center. It is moving west-northwestward slowly. 

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 3 has been raised over the northeastern portion of the Babuyan Islands, where residents could expect ferocious winds in at least 18 hours that could unroof or destroy the majority of nipa and cogon houses.

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2 has been raised over Batanes, the northeastern portion of mainland Cagayan, and the rest of Babuyan Islands where up to 88 kph winds in the next 24 hours could partially damage or unroof lightly built structures.

Meanwhile, TCWS No. 1 is hoisted over the rest of Cagayan, Isabela, Apayao, Abra, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, the northern portion of Benguet, and the northern portion of Aurora.

Several areas under wind warnings could also experience moderate to intense rains, PAGASA warned, adding that Wind Signal No. 4 is the highest alert that could be raised as Julian affects the country.

Julian would continue to intensify throughout the forecast period and could reach the typhoon category by Sunday evening, PAGASA said, noting that the cyclone could undergo "rapid intensification" and reach the super typhoon category.

Cloudy skies with isolated rain showers and thunderstorms are forecast elsewhere in the country.

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