‘Leon’ strengthens into typhoon, Signal No. 2 up in some areas of Luzon

Severe Tropical Storm “Leon” (international name: Kong-Rey) intensified into a typhoon over the waters east of Cagayan, the state weather bureau said on Tuesday.

In an 11 am advisory issued by PAGASA, Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 2 has been hoisted over Batanes, Babuyan Islands, the eastern portion of mainland Cagayan, and the northeastern portion of Isabela.

Meanwhile, TCWS No. 1 is raised over the rest of mainland Cagayan, the rest of Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Apayao, Kalinga, Abra, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Benguet, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Aurora, the northern portion of Quezon including Polillo Islands, Camarines Norte, the eastern portion of Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, the eastern portion of Albay, and the northeastern portion of Sorsogon.

The weather disturbance is moving west northwestward at 10 kilometers per hour with maximum sustained winds of 130 kilometers per hour near the center and gusts of up to 160 kilometers per hour.

Its center was last estimated at 565 km northeast of Virac, Catanduanes.

PAGASA may issue up to TCWS No. 3 or 4 in Batanes and Babuyan Islands during the occurrence of “Leon” and has not ruled out the possibility of hoisting TCWS No. 5.

Based on PAGASA’s forecast, Typhoon “Leon” will move generally west northwestward today, then turn northwestward tomorrow until it makes landfall along the eastern coast of Taiwan on Thursday afternoon or evening.

“Considering the possibility of further westward shift in the track forecast (but within the limits of the forecast confidence cone), a landfall scenario on Batanes is not ruled out,” it warned.

The weather disturbance is expected to rapidly intensify throughout its passage over the Philippine Sea up to until before landfall over Taiwan, and will likely be at or near its peak intensity during its closest point of approach to Batanes.

“There is an increasing chance that “Leon” will reach super typhoon category,” PAGASA added.

Typhoon “Leon” will be closest to Batanes between Thursday early morning and noon.