Super Typhoon “Leon” (international name: Kong-Rey) is expected to bring destructive winds and torrential rains to extreme Northern Luzon, prompting the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) to raise Signal No. 4 on Wednesday afternoon. Oct. 30.

The super typhoon has maintained maximum winds of 185 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gusts reaching 230 kph.

As of 2 p.m., Signal No. 4 has been in effect in Batanes, while Signal No. 3 remains in place in the eastern portion of Babuyan Islands (Babuyan Island, Camiguin Island, Calayan Island), and northeastern portion of mainland Cagayan (Santa Ana).

Signal No. 2 is still up over 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 remains in effect 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), northern portion of Bulacan (Doña Remedios Trinidad, San Miguel), the 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. 5 may be raised if there is a westward shift in Leon’s forecast track.

Landfall

As of 1 p.m., the center of the eye of Leon was located 310 kilometers east of Calayan, Cagayan, and is moving northwestward at 15 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.

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

Based on the latest forecast track, the super typhoon will 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 will move north northwestward to northeastward over the Taiwan Strait and exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility by Thursday evening or early Friday morning, Nov. 1.

The super typhoon is expected to weaken after making landfall in Taiwan.

Rainfall outlook

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

From Wednesday to Thursday afternoon, 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, Ilocos Sur, Apayao, Abra, Isabela, Occidental Mindoro, Calamian Islands, and Antique, while moderate to heavy rains (50 to 100 millimeters) are likely in Kalinga, Benguet, Mountain Province, La Union, Pangasinan, and Negros Occidental.

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.

From Thursday afternoon to Friday afternoon, Nov. 1, 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.

From Friday afternoon to Saturday afternoon, Nov. 2, rainfall is expected to decrease, with only moderate to heavy precipitation expected in Batanes.