The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said “Leon” (international name: Kong-rey) has intensified into a super typhoon while moving over the Philippine Sea on Wednesday morning, Oct. 30.

Leon is packing maximum sustained winds of 185 kilometers per hour (kph) near its center and gusts reaching 230 kph.

As of 10 a.m., the center of the super typhoon was located 350 kilometers east of Calayan, Cagayan, and is advancing west northwestward at 10 kph.

PAGASA warned that Leon will be closest to Batanes from late Wednesday evening to early Thursday morning, Oct. 31. However, a landfall in the area remains a possibility.

In preparation for Leon’s destructive winds, PAGASA has raised Signal No. 3 in Batanes, eastern portion of Babuyan Islands, and northeastern portion of mainland Cagayan.

Signal No. 2 remains in effect in the rest of Babuyan Islands, the rest of mainland Cagayan, 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, northern and eastern portions of Abra (Tineg, Lacub, Malibcong, Lagayan, San Juan, Lagangilang, Licuan-Baay, Daguioman), eastern portion of Mountain Province (Paracelis), and Ilocos Norte.

Meanwhile, Signal No. 1 is in place in 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, 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), northern portion of Quezon (Infanta, General Nakar, including Polillo Islands), Camarines Norte, northern portion of Camarines Sur (Siruma, Tinambac, Lagonoy, Garchitorena, Caramoan), and northern and eastern portions of Catanduanes (Pandan, Gigmoto, Bagamanoc, Panganiban, Viga, Baras, Caramoran).

PAGASA said Signal No. 4 will be raised in Batanes on Wednesday afternoon “in anticipation of potentially destructive typhoon-force winds from Leon.”

However, it added that the possibility of raising Signal No. 5 remains if Leon deviates from its forecast track.

Landfall

PAGASA said Leon is expected to continue to move northwestward over the Philippine Sea until it makes landfall along the eastern coast of Taiwan on Thursday afternoon.

After crossing Taiwan, Leon is projected to move north northwestward to northeastward through the Taiwan Strait toward the East China Sea and exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility by Thursday evening or early Friday morning, Nov. 1.

A second landfall in mainland China is also possible.

“Leon will be near or at peak intensity during its closest approach to Batanes,” PAGASA said.

It is expected to weaken after making landfall in Taiwan.

Rainfall projections

Based on PAGASA’s three-day rainfall forecast, moderate to torrential rainfall is anticipated in parts of Luzon and Visayas.

On Wednesday, intense to torrential rainfall (over 200 millimeters) is expected in Batanes, Cagayan, and Babuyan Islands.

Heavy to intense rainfall (100 to 200 millimeters) may affect Ilocos Norte, Apayao, Isabela, and Occidental Mindoro, while moderate to heavy rains (50 to 100 millimeters) are likely in Ilocos Sur, Abra, Kalinga, Benguet, La Union, Pangasinan, Calamian Islands, Occidental Mindoro, Romblon, and Antique. 

The trough or extension of Leon may also bring scattered light to moderate rain showers and thunderstorms to Metro Manila, Visayas, and the rest of Luzon.

On Thursday, Oct. 31, intense to torrential rainfall is expected to continue in Batanes, while heavy to intense rains may persist in Babuyan Islands.

Meanwhile, moderate to heavy rainfall may continue to affect mainland Cagayan, Occidental Mindoro, Ilocos Norte, Zambales, Bataan, Cavite, Batangas, and Calamian Islands.

By Friday, rainfall is expected to decrease, with only moderate to heavy precipitation expected in Batanes.