Severe Tropical Storm Kristine maintains strength over Northern Luzon

Severe Tropical Storm Kristine maintained its strength while crossing Northern Luzon on Thursday morning, packing maximum sustained winds of 95 kilometers per hour near the center and a gustiness of up to 160 kph.

As of 10 a.m., the center of the severe tropical storm was located in Bauko, Mountain Province.

PAGASA has hoisted Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 3 over Mountain Province, Ifugao, Benguet, the northern portion of Nueva Vizcaya, the southern portion of Ilocos Sur, La Union, and Pangasinan.

Signal No. 2 is also in effect over Metro Manila, Cagayan including Babuyan Islands, Isabela, Quirino, the rest of Nueva Vizcaya, Apayao, Kalinga, Abra, Ilocos Norte, the rest of Ilocos Sur, Nueva Ecija, Aurora, Bulacan, Tarlac, Pampanga, Zambales, Bataan, Rizal, Cavite, western portion of Batangas, northern portion of Quezon including Polillo Islands, northern portion of Laguna, and Lubang Islands.

Residents in Signal No. 3 areas can expect wind speeds between 89 kph and 117 kph, with PAGASA advising caution due to moderate to significant threats to life and property.