Typhoon “Leon” (international name: Kong-Rey) further intensified as it moved over the Philippine sea, the state weather bureau said on Wednesday.
In a 5 am advisory issued by PAGASA, Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 3 is hoisted over Batanes and the eastern portion of Babuyan Islands, while TCWS No. 2 is issued for the rest of Babuyan Islands, Cagayan, the northern and eastern portions of Isabela, Apayao, Kalinga, the northern and eastern portions of Abra, the eastern portion of Mountain Province, and Ilocos Norte.
TCWS No. 1 is raised over the rest of Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, the rest of Mountain Province, Ifugao, Benguet, the rest of Abra, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Nueva Ecija, Aurora, the northeastern portion of Tarlac, the northern portion of Bulacan, the northern portion of Quezon including Polillo Islands, Camarines Norte, the northern portion of Camarines Sur, and the northern and eastern portions of Catanduanes.
The weather disturbance is moving west northwestward at 15 kilometers per hour with maximum sustained winds of 165 kilometers per hour near the center and gusts of up to 205 kilometers per hour.
Its center was last estimated at 395 km East of Calayan, Cagayan.
During its closest point of approach to Batanes, PAGASA says “Leon” will likely be at or near super typhoon intensity.
“Leon will be closest to Batanes from tomorrow early morning to noon time. A landfall in Batanes is also not ruled out,” it warned.
Typhoon “Leon” is forecast to continue rapidly intensifying over the Philippine Sea until prior to landfall over the eastern coast of Taiwan on Thursday afternoon and exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) Thursday evening or Friday early morning.
“The highest Wind Signal which may be hoisted during the occurrence of “Leon” is Wind Signal No. 4, especially in Batanes and Babuyan Islands. The hoisting of Wind Signal No. 5 is also not ruled out.”
