Tropical Storm “Leon” (international name: Kong-Rey) maintained its strength as it decelerated over the Philippine sea, the state weather bureau said on Monday.
In a 5 am advisory issued by PAGASA, Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1 has been hoisted over the eastern portion of mainland Cagayan (Santa Ana, Lal-Lo, Gattaran, Baggao, Santa Teresita, Gonzaga, Peñablanca), the eastern portion of Isabela (Maconacon, Divilacan, Ilagan City, San Pablo, Cabagan, Tumauini, Palanan, San Mariano, Dinapigue), and the northeastern portion of Catanduanes (Pandan, Bagamanoc, Panganiban, Viga).
The weather disturbance is moving westward at 10 kilometers per hour with maximum sustained winds of 85 kilometers per hour near the center and gusts of up to 105 kilometers per hour.
Its center was last estimated at 840 km east of Central Luzon.
Depending on how close the tropical cyclone will be during its north northwestward movement over the sea east of Batanes, PAGASA may issue up to TCWS No. 3.
Based on PAGASA’s forecast, Tropical Storm “Leon” will move westward for the next 12 hours before turning west northwestward Tuesday early morning, continue northwestward by Wednesday until Thursday, and make landfall over Taiwan by Friday early morning.
By Wednesday or Thursday, “Leon” may pass closely over the Batanes area.
“This tropical cyclone is expected to gradually intensify in the next 24 hours and may reach severe tropical storm category by this afternoon. This tropical cyclone may also undergo rapid intensification,” PAGASA warned.
