‘Leon’ strengthens into a strong tropical storm, several areas under Signal No. 1.
MANILA – After “Leon” strengthened into a strong tropical storm, the state weather service declared a Wind Signal No. 1 to twelve provinces in Luzon on Monday.
As of 10:00 a.m., the center of Leon was predicted to be 735 kilometers east of Casiguran, Aurora, or 780 kilometers east of Echague, Isabela, based on all available data.
It has maximum sustained winds of 95 kph within the center, gustiness of up to 115 kph, and is moving westward at 20 kph.
Walang Pasok: Class suspensions on Monday, October 28, 2024
Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 covers the following 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)
On Monday afternoon, PAGASA issued a gale warning for Northern Luzon’s northern and eastern seaboards.
The Leon trough or extension, as well as rainbands, could bring moderate to severe rainfall to regions of Northern Luzon, Central Luzon, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, Western Visayas, and the Negros Region through Thursday afternoon.
Flooding and landslides are expected.
According to PAGASA, Leon would “rapidly intensify throughout its passage over the Philippine Sea.” It may become a typhoon within 24 hours and even a super typhoon on its closest approach to Batanes.
Leon is expected to move west northwestward from Monday to Tuesday morning, then curve northwestward until it makes landfall along Taiwan’s eastern shore on Thursday evening or early Friday morning.
After crossing Taiwan’s mainland, Leon will turn northeast toward the East China Sea and leave the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Friday morning or afternoon.