More areas under Signal No. 1 as ‘Leon’ is on track to become typhoon
Credit to Author: Kristine Daguno-Bersamina| Date: Tue, 29 Oct 2024 08:00:00 +0800
MANILA, Philippines — Severe Tropical Storm Leon (international name: Kong-Rey) has slightly intensified while moving over the Philippine Sea and may reach typhoon strength within the next 12 hours.
As of 4 a.m., October 29, PAGASA said that Leon was spotted 645 kilometers east of Tuguegarao City, Cagayan.
Carrying peak winds of 110 kilometers per hour and gusts up to 135 kph, Leon is moving west northwestward at 10 kph.
PAGASA hoisted Signal No. 1 for several areas across Luzon and Visayas, which are as follows:
Luzon
Visayas
Strong winds ranging from 39 to 61 kph may be expected in at least 36 hours or intermittent rains may be expected within 36 hours.
The storm's outer rainbands may impact Extreme Northern Luzon, depending on its path.
Leon is expected to enhance the southwesterly windflow that was previously triggered by Tropical Storm Trami (formerly Kristine), which could bring rainfall to Visayas, Mindanao and the western portion of Southern Luzon.
PAGASA warned that Leon may lead to the hoisting of Wind Signal Nos. 3 or 4 in Extreme Northern Luzon, with the possibility of Signal No. 5 as well.
Gusty winds are expected in the following areas in the coming days:
PAGASA said that sea conditions over the next 24 hours make travel dangerous in the following areas:
The state weather bureau said that Leon will move generally west northwestward on Tuesday, transitioning to a northwestward trajectory on Wednesday.
The storm is likely to make landfall on Taiwan's eastern coast on Thursday afternoon or evening.
After crossing Taiwan, Leon will head north toward the East China Sea and exit the Philippine area of responsibility by Thursday evening or early Friday morning.
While the storm's track may shift slightly west, it could still approach Batanes.
Leon is expected to intensify quickly and may become a typhoon within the next 12 hours. There is also a chance it could reach super typhoon status as it gets closer to Batanes.