MANILA, Philippines (Updated) 鈥� Severe Tropical Storm Leon (international name: Kong-rey) has intensified into a typhoon, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) reported on Tuesday.
In a 10 a.m. tropical cyclone update, the state weather bureau said Leon is now packing maximum sustained winds of 130 kilometers per hour (kph) near its center.
Its current wind speed is 20 kph stronger than the last recorded speed at 5 a.m. Monday.
Leon also has a gustiness of up to 160 kph, according to Pagasa.
Typhoon Leon was last spotted some 590 kilometers east of Tuguegarao City, moving west-northwestward at 10 kph.
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Due to this, Pagasa hoisted Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 2 in the following Luzon areas:
- Batanes
- Babuyan Islands
- Eastern portion of mainland Cagayan (Gattaran, Baggao, Lal-Lo, Aparri, Camalaniugan, Buguey, Santa Teresita, Gonzaga, Santa Ana, Pe帽ablanca),
- Northeastern portion of Isabela (Divilacan, Palanan, Maconacon)
Gale-force winds are expected in these areas, with expected wind speeds of 62 to 88 kph within the next 24 hours, bringing a minor to moderate threat to life and property.
Meanwhile, TCWS No. 1 was raised in the following parts of the country:
- 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
- Northern portion of Quezon including Polillo Islands (General Nakar, Infanta, Real)
- Camarines Norte
- Eastern portion of Camarines Sur (Tinambac, Siruma, Goa, Lagonoy, San Jose, Garchitorena, Carmon, Presentacion, Tigaon, Calabanga, Saglay)
- Catanduanes
- Eastern portion of Albay (Rapu-Rapu, Bacacay, City of Tabaco, Tiwi, Malilipot, Malinao, Santo Domingo, Manito)
- Northeastern portion of Sorsogon (Prieto Diaz, City of Sorsogon, Gubat)
Areas under TCWS No. 1 will experience wind speeds of 39 to 61 kph within the next 36 hours, which may also pose a low risk to life and property.
鈥淭he highest wind signal which may be hoisted during the occurrence of Leon is Wind Signal No. 3 or 4, especially in Batanes and Babuyan Islands,鈥� Pagasa said.
It added that the hoisting of TCWS No. 5 is not ruled out.
A gale warning was also raised over the seaboard of Northern Luzon and the eastern seaboards of Central and Southern Luzon.
Furthermore, state meteorologists reported that Leon is expected to pass closest to Batanes between early Thursday morning and noon, with a possible landfall scenario remaining possible.
The typhoon is projected to exit the Philippine area of responsibility on Thursday evening or Friday morning.