Signal No. 4 in Batanes as Super Typhoon Leon looms

Signal No. 4 in Batanes as Super Typhoon Leon loomsMANILA, Philippines – Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 4 was raised over Batanes Wednesday afternoon as swirled closer to the province.

In its 2 p.m. bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said Leon’s eye was last located some 310 kiloemeters (km) east of Calayan, Cagayan.

Leon os packing maximum sustained winds of 185 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 230 kph while moving northwest at 15 kph.

“Leon will be closest to Batanes from late evening today to tomorrow morning. A landfall in Batanes is also not ruled out,” said Pagasa.

“This super typhoon will be near or at peak intensity during its closest point of approach to Batanes. The landfall of Leon over Taiwan will result in a continuous weakening trend for the rest of the forecast period,” it added.

Lower wind signals due to the super typhoon have also been raised in other parts of Luzon

 Signal No. 3

Signal No. 2

Pagasa said Leon is forecast to move northwest over the Philippine Sea until it makes landfall along the eastern coast of Taiwan on Thursday afternoon.

After crossing Taiwan, Leon is expected to turn north-northwest to northeast over the Taiwan Strait towards the East China Sea and exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Thursday evening or Friday early morning.

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