This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.
Tropical Storm Leon (Kong-rey) could intensify into a severe tropical storm on Monday, October 28
MANILA, Philippines – As Tropical Storm Leon (Kong-rey) continued to intensify over the Philippine Sea on Sunday evening, October 27, the weather bureau also raised Signal No. 1 for the first time.
Leon’s maximum sustained winds increased further from 75 kilometers per hour to 85 km/h, said the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) in a briefing past 11 pm on Sunday.
The tropical storm’s gustiness is now up to 105 km/h from the previous 90 km/h.
It was last spotted 915 kilometers east of Central Luzon at 10 pm on Sunday, still moving west at 20 km/h.
The following areas are under Signal No. 1, which means they should expect strong winds from Leon in 36 hours:
- eastern part of mainland Cagayan (Santa Ana, Lal-lo, Gattaran, Baggao, Santa Teresita, Gonzaga, Peñablanca)
- eastern part of Isabela (Maconacon, Divilacan, Ilagan City, San Pablo, Cabagan, Tumauini, Palanan, San Mariano, Dinapigue)
- northeastern part of Catanduanes (Pandan, Bagamanoc, Panganiban, Viga)
PAGASA also said “the wind flow coming towards the circulation” of the tropical storm will bring strong to gale-force gusts to these areas:
Monday, October 28
- Batanes, Babuyan Islands, Batangas, most of Mimaropa, most of Bicol, Visayas, most of Northern Mindanao, most of Caraga
Tuesday, October 29
- Aurora, Metro Manila, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol, Visayas, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, Camiguin
In terms of rainfall, Leon’s outer rainbands could affect extreme Northern Luzon, “depending on how close it will be during its north northwestward movement over the Philippine Sea.”
The trough or extension of the tropical storm may affect the Visayas, Mindanao, and western part of Southern Luzon as well.
PAGASA said it may issue a separate rainfall advisory in the coming hours.
ALSO ON RAPPLER
Leon is now projected to keep moving west on Monday, October 28, before heading northwest from Monday evening to Wednesday, October 30, then north northwest.
The tropical storm currently remains far from Philippine landmass, but it could pass very close to or make landfall in the northern part of Taiwan. Taiwan is within the Philippine Area of Responsibility.
A further westward shift in Leon’s track would “bring the Wednesday-Thursday segment of the track forecast closer to extreme Northern Luzon.”
In terms of intensity, Leon is seen to gradually strengthen within 24 hours and become a severe tropical storm on Monday and a typhoon on Tuesday, October 29.
“This tropical cyclone may also undergo rapid intensification,” added the weather bureau.
In the next 24 hours, up to rough seas are expected in these coastal waters:
- Seaboard of Batanes – waves up to 4 meters high
- Seaboards of Kalayaan Islands, Babuyan Islands, and Isabela; northern and eastern seaboards of mainland Cagayan Valley and Catanduanes – waves up to 3 meters high
Small vessels should not venture out to sea.
Meanwhile, up to moderate seas are seen in these coastal waters:
- Western seaboard of Palawan, Batangas, and Bataan; seaboards of Aurora, northern mainland Quezon, and Camarines Norte; northern and eastern seaboards of Polillo Islands, Camarines Sur, and Northern Samar; eastern seaboards of Albay, Sorsogon, and Eastern Samar – waves up to 2.5 meters high
- Eastern seaboard of Dinagat Islands and northern seaboard of Ilocos Norte – waves up to 2 meters high
Small vessels should take precautionary measures or avoid sailing, if possible.
Leon is the Philippines’ 12th tropical cyclone for 2024, and the second for October. – Rappler.com
