Super Typhoon “Leon” (international name: Kong-rey) has been downgraded to a typhoon as it weakens while moving toward Taiwan, said the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) in its 11 a.m. bulletin on Thursday, Oct. 31.
Leon now has maximum sustained winds of 175 kilometers per hour (kph) near its center and gusts reaching 215 kph.
It is moving northwestward at 25 kph and was located 155 kilometers north of Itbayat, Batanes as of 10 a.m.
While Signal No. 4 has been lifted, Signal No. 3 remains in effect in Batanes.
Signal No. 2 is still raised in Babuyan Islands, and Signal No. 1 remains over mainland Cagayan, Isabela, Apayao, Abra, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, northern portion of Benguet (Mankayan, Bakun, Buguias), Ilocos Norte, and Ilocos Sur.
PAGASA said Batanes may still experience heavy to intense rains (100 to 200 millimeters) until Friday, Nov. 1.
Meanwhile, moderate to heavy rainfall (50 to 100 millimeters) may persist in Babuyan Islands, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Benguet, La Union, Pangasinan, Zambales, Bataan, Occidental Mindoro, and Calamian Islands.
PAGASA said Leon may exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility by Thursday evening or early Friday morning.