MANILA, Philippines – 'Bagyong Leon' (international name: Kong-Rey) further intensified as it moves west northwestward over the Philippine Sea, state weather bureau PAGASA announced in its 5:00 a.m. bulletin on Wednesday, October 30, 2024.
At 4:00 a.m. today, the center of the eye of Typhoon 'Leon' was estimated based on all available data at 395 km East of Calayan, Cagayan.
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| Satellite image of Typhoon Leon as of 4:40 am, October 30, 2024. Photo courtesy: DOST-PAGASA |
'Bagyong Leon' has maximum sustained winds of 165 km/h near the center, gustiness of up to 205 km/h, and central pressure of 935 hPa. It is moving west northwestward at 15 km/h.
TROPICAL CYCLONE WIND SIGNALS (TCWS) IN EFFECT
Signal No. 3 was hoisted over Batanes and the eastern portion of Babuyan Islands (Babuyan Island).
Signal No. 2 was raised over the following areas:
- rest of Babuyan Islands
- Cagayan
- the northern and eastern portions of Isabela (Santo Tomas, Santa Maria, Quezon, San Mariano, Naguilian, Dinapigue, Delfin Albano, San Pablo, Ilagan City, Benito Soliven, Tumauini, Cabagan, Palanan, Quirino, Divilacan, Gamu, Mallig, Maconacon, Burgos, City of Cauayan, San Guillermo, Angadanan, Cabatuan, Luna, Reina Mercedes, Roxas, Aurora, San Manuel)
- Apayao
- Kalinga
- the northern and eastern portions of Abra (Tineg, Lacub, Malibcong, Lagayan, San Juan, Lagangilang, Licuan-Baay, Daguioman)
- the eastern portion of Mountain Province (Paracelis), and
- Ilocos Norte.
Signal No. 1 in the following areas:
- the rest of Isabela
- Quirino
- Nueva Vizcaya
- the rest of Mountain Province
- Ifugao
- Benguet
- the rest of Abra
- Ilocos Sur
- La Union
- Pangasinan
- Nueva Ecija
- Aurora
- the northeastern portion of Tarlac (Camiling, San Clemente, Paniqui, Moncada, Anao, San Manuel, Pura, Ramos, Victoria, Gerona, Santa Ignacia, City of Tarlac, La Paz)
- the northern portion of Bulacan (Doña Remedios Trinidad, San Miguel)
- the northern portion of Quezon (Infanta, General Nakar) including Polillo Islands
- Camarines Norte
- the northern portion of Camarines Sur (Siruma, Tinambac, Lagonoy, Garchitorena, Caramoan)
- the northern and eastern portions of Catanduanes (Pandan, Gigmoto, Bagamanoc, Panganiban, Viga, Baras, Caramoran)
Note: The highest Wind Signal which may be hoisted during the occurrence of Leon is Wind Signal No. 4, especially in Batanes and Babuyan Islands. The hoisting of Wind Signal No. 5 is also not ruled out.
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| Photo courtesy: DOST-PAGASA |
TRACK AND INTENSITY OUTLOOK
'Bagyong Leon' is forecast to move northwestward over the Philippine Sea until it makes landfall along the eastern coast of Taiwan tomorrow (October 31) afternoon.
After crossing the landmass of Taiwan, 'Leon' will then turn north northwestward to northeastward over the Taiwan Strait towards the East China Sea and exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility tomorrow evening or Friday early morning (November 1). A second landfall over mainland China is not ruled out during this period.
'Leon' will be closest to Batanes from tomorrow early morning to noon time. A landfall in Batanes is also not ruled out.
This tropical cyclone is forecast to continue rapidly intensifying over the Philippine Sea until prior to landfall over Taiwan.
'Leon' will likely be at or near super typhoon intensity during its closest point of approach to Batanes on Thursday.
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| Photo courtesy: DOST-PAGASA |
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
