Severe Tropical Storm (STS) Leon has intensified; should it continue to do so, it may develop into a typhoon in the next 12 hours, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) reported.
“There is an increasing chance that Leon will reach the super typhoon category during its period of closest approach to Batanes,” the weather bureau stated. It also said landfall in Batanes is possible.
Close to its center, the STS already generates maximum sustained winds of 110 kilometers per hour (kph), with a gustiness peaking at 135 kph. Typhoons produce maximum wind speeds of 118 to 184 kph, and super typhoons exceed the 185 kph mark.
At 4 AM, the cyclone was detected to be 645 km east of Tuguegarao City in Cagayan and moving west northwestward at 10 kph. Forecasts indicate its exit from the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) on Friday.
The following areas are under Signal No. 1:
- Batanes
- Cagayan, with the Babuyan Islands
- Isabela
- Quirino
- Nueva Vizcaya
- Apayao
- Kalinga
- Abra
- Mountain Province
- Ifugao
- Benguet
- Ilocos Norte
- Ilocos Sur
- La Union
- Aurora
- Northern Quezon, with the Polillo Islands: General Nakar, Infanta, Real
- Camarines Norte
- Eastern Camarines Sur: Tinambac, Siruma, Goa, Lagonoy, San Jose, Garchitorena, Caramoan, Presentacion, Tigaon, Calabanga, and Saglay
- Catanduanes
- Eastern Albay: Rapu-Rapu, Bacacay, City of Tabaco, Tiwi, Malilipot, Malinao, Santo Domingo, and Manito
- Northeastern Sorsogon: Prieto Diaz, City of Sorsogon, Gubat
- Eastern part of Northern Samar: San Roque, Pambujan, Catubig, Laoang, Palapag, Gamay, Lapinig, Mapanas, Mondragon
- North of Eastern Samar: Jipapad, Arteche, Oras, San Policarpo
Leon will also bring strong to gale-force winds in Bataan, Metro Manila, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, the Bicol Region, Visayas, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, and Camiguin today.
A gale warning has been hoisted over the Northern Luzon and eastern seaboards of Central and Southern Luzon.
