MANILA – Typhoon Leon (international name Kong-Rey) has intensified further, prompting the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) to raise Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 3 over Batanes and parts of the Babuyan Islands as of early Wednesday morning. With winds peaking at 165 km/h and gusts up to 205 km/h, residents in these areas are urged to take precautions as Leon is expected to reach its peak intensity as it passes closest to Batanes on Thursday (30 Oct 2024).
As of early morning Thursday, Leon was positioned 395 km east of Calayan, Cagayan. While the typhoon is likely to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) by Thursday night or early Friday, its powerful winds and heavy rains are projected to affect Northern Luzon’s coastal regions, particularly Batanes and Cagayan, which could see storm surges of up to 3 meters.
Areas under TCWS No. 2 and TCWS No. 1
Gale-force winds extend across the rest of the Babuyan Islands, parts of Cagayan, Isabela, and Abra, as well as Apayao and Kalinga. Meanwhile, moderate to strong winds persist under TCWS No. 1 across regions including Nueva Vizcaya, Ifugao, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, parts of Camarines Norte and Sur, and northern Quezon, impacting sea travel along Northern and Central Luzon’s eastern coasts.
Dr. Prisco Nilo, former PAGASA chief, noted that while the typhoon may pass within 130 km of Batanes, the chance of landfall over Northern Luzon’s mainland remains low due to a weakening high-pressure area to the northwest of Leon. However, PAGASA warns that rainfall accumulation, particularly in Batanes and nearby provinces, could exceed 1.7 million cubic meters per square kilometer per day, likely increasing the risk of flooding in lower areas as rainwater drains into rivers and streams.
Travel and Safety Advisories
Gale warnings remain active, with all vessels advised to avoid sea travel. Meanwhile, authorities are coordinating with local units for potential evacuation and disaster preparedness as the typhoon continues its Weather today
Typhoon Leon Escalates: Northern Luzon Braces as Signal No. 3 Raised in Batanes
MANILA – Typhoon Leon (international name Kong-Rey) has intensified further, prompting the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) to raise Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 3 over Batanes and parts of the Babuyan Islands as of early Wednesday morning. With winds peaking at 165 km/h and gusts up to 205 km/h, residents in these areas are urged to take precautions as Leon is expected to reach its peak intensity as it passes closest to Batanes on Thursday (30 Oct 2024).
As of early morning Thursday, Leon was positioned 395 km east of Calayan, Cagayan. While the typhoon is likely to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) by Thursday night or early Friday, its powerful winds and heavy rains are projected to affect Northern Luzon’s coastal regions, particularly Batanes and Cagayan, which could see storm surges of up to 3 meters.
Areas under TCWS No. 2 and TCWS No. 1
Gale-force winds extend across the rest of the Babuyan Islands, parts of Cagayan, Isabela, and Abra, as well as Apayao and Kalinga. Meanwhile, moderate to strong winds persist under TCWS No. 1 across regions including Nueva Vizcaya, Ifugao, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, parts of Camarines Norte and Sur, and northern Quezon, impacting sea travel along Northern and Central Luzon’s eastern coasts.
Dr. Prisco Nilo, former PAGASA chief, noted that while the typhoon may pass within 130 km of Batanes, the chance of landfall over Northern Luzon’s mainland remains low due to a weakening high-pressure area to the northwest of Leon. However, PAGASA warns that rainfall accumulation, particularly in Batanes and nearby provinces, could exceed 1.7 million cubic meters per square kilometer per day, likely increasing the risk of flooding in lower areas as rainwater drains into rivers and streams.
Travel and Safety Advisories
Gale warnings remain active, with all vessels advised to avoid sea travel. Meanwhile, authorities are coordinating with local units for potential evacuation and disaster preparedness as the typhoon continues its approach.
ia/mnm