MANILA, Philippines – 'Bagyong Leon' (Kong-rey) intensified into a severe tropical storm, state weather bureau PAGASA announced in its 11:00 am bulletin on Monday, October 28, 2024.
At 10:00 a.m. today, the center of Severe Tropical Storm 'Leon' was estimated based on all available data at 735 km East of Casiguran, Aurora or 780 km East of Echague, Isabela.
 |
| Satellite image of severe tropical storm 'Leon' as of 11:00 am, October 28, 2024. Photo courtesy: DOST-PAGASA |
'Bagyong Leon' has maximum sustained winds of 95 km/h near the center, gustiness of up to 115 km/h, and central pressure of 985 hPa. It is moving westward at 20 km/h.
TROPICAL CYCLONE WIND SIGNALS (TCWS) IN EFFECT
Signal No. 1 was raised over Luzon areas: Batanes, Cagayan including Babuyan Islands, Isabela, Ilocos Norte, Abra, Apayao, Kalinga, the eastern portion of Mountain Province (Natonin, Paracelis), the eastern portion of Ifugao (Aguinaldo, Alfonso Lista), the eastern portion of Quirino (Maddela), the northern portion of Aurora (Dilasag, Casiguran, Dinalungan), and the northern portion of Catanduanes (Pandan, Bagamanoc, Panganiban, Viga, Gigmoto).
Note: The highest Wind Signal which may be hoisted during the occurrence of LEON is Wind Signal No. 3 or 4, especially in Extreme Northern Luzon.
TRACK AND INTENSITY OUTLOOK
'Leon' is forecast to move west northwestward today through tomorrow (October 29) morning, then turn northwestward until it makes landfall along the eastern coast of Taiwan on Thursday (October 31) evening or Friday (November 1) early morning.
 |
| Photo courtesy: DOST-PAGASA |
After crossing the landmass of Taiwan, 'Leon' will then turn to the northeast towards the East China Sea and exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) on Friday morning or afternoon.
There is an increasing possibility of further westward shift in the track forecast of 'Leon' but within the limits of the forecast confidence cone. As such, a landfall or close approach scenario on Batanes is not ruled out.
This tropical cyclone is expected to rapidly intensify throughout its passage over the Philippine Sea and may reach typhoon category within 24 hours. Furthermore, there is an increasing chance that LEON will reach super typhoon category during its period of closest approach to Batanes.
TROPICAL CYCLONES
Severe tropical storm Leon is the Philippines' 12th tropical cyclone for 2024. It developed into a tropical storm while outside PAR last Friday, October 25.
On average, there are 20 tropical cyclones that could form or enter the PAR each year. Only half of those are projected to make landfall.
READ: LIST: PAGASA releases Philippine Typhoon names in 2024
— The Summit Express
