STS Leon Further Intensifies; Benguet now under TCWS. No. 1

Severe Tropical Storm Leon has further intensified over the Philippine Sea and is expected to continue strengthening, potentially reaching typhoon category within the next 24 hours. Here’s what you need to know:

Location and Intensity

• Current Location: 725 km East of Echague, Isabela
• Movement: West-northwest at 15 km/h
• Maximum Winds: 100 km/h near the center, gusts up to 125 km/h

Areas Under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1(TCWS)

Luzon

• Batanes
• Cagayan, including Babuyan Islands
• Isabela
• Quirino
• Nueva Vizcaya
• Apayao
• Kalinga
• Abra
• Mountain Province
• Ifugao
• Northern Benguet (Bakun, Kibungan, Atok, Bokod, Mankayan, Buguias, Kabayan)
• Ilocos Norte
• Ilocos Sur
• La Union
• Aurora
• Northern Quezon, including Polillo Islands (General Nakar, Infanta, Real)
• Camarines Norte
• Eastern Camarines Sur (Tinambac, Siruma, Goa, Lagonoy, San Jose, Garchitorena, Caramoan, Presentacion, Tigaon, Calabanga, Saglay)
• Catanduanes
• Eastern Albay (Rapu-Rapu, Bacacay, City of Tabaco, Tiwi, Malilipot, Malinao, Santo Domingo, Manito)
• Northeastern Sorsogon (Prieto Diaz, City of Sorsogon, Gubat)

Visayas

• Eastern Northern Samar (San Roque, Pambujan, Catubig, Laoang, Palapag, Gamay, Lapinig, Mapanas, Mondragon)
• Northern Eastern Samar (Jipapad, Arteche, Oras, San Policarpo)

Additional Hazards

• Heavy Rainfall: For specific details, refer to Weather Advisory No. 2.
• Severe Winds: Gusty conditions expected across Visayas, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, and parts of Mindanao. Wind Signal No. 3 or 4 may be hoisted in Northern Luzon, with the possibility of Signal No. 5.
• Coastal Conditions: Very rough seas up to 5.5 m expected over Batanes and Babuyan seaboards, making sea travel risky.

Track and Intensity Outlook

Leon is forecast to continue moving west-northwest, possibly making landfall in Taiwan on 31 October. There is a chance Leon could reach super typhoon strength as it nears Batanes.

Stay tuned for the next update at 11:00 PM and follow local authorities for safety instructions.