MANILA – Tropical Storm Leon (international name: Kong-Rey) maintained strength as it moves westward over the Philippine Sea, the state weather bureau said Sunday.
In its 5 a.m. bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Leon was last seen 1, 195 km east of Central Luzon packing maximum sustained winds of 65 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 80 kph while moving 20 kph westward.
The tropical cyclone is seen to remain far from the Philippine landmass, PAGASA said.
As of posting time, no Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) is hoisted.
However, TCWS No. 1 may be declared over portions of Cagayan Valley and the northeastern portion of Bicol Region by Sunday night, PAGASA reported.
Likewise, Leon still has no direct effect to the weather conditions in the country within the forecast period.
But PAGASA said it may affect extreme Northern Luzon depending on how close it will get during its recurvature over the Philippine Sea.
Furthermore, it may also continue to influence the southwesterly windflow recently triggered by Severe Tropical Storm Trami (Kristine) which may affect the western section of Southern Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao in the coming days, the weather bureau added.
Leon is forecast to move westward until early Monday morning before turning west northwestward from Monday morning to early Tuesday morning.
Afterwards, it is forecast to turn northwestward to north northwestward for the rest of the forecast period and may make landfall over Ryukyu Islands in Okinawa, Japan on Friday morning.
This tropical cyclone is expected to gradually intensify in the next 24 hours and may reach severe tropical storm category by early Monday morning.
A period of rapid intensification is also likely to happen starting Monday until Wednesday. Leon may also reach typhoon category on Monday evening or early Tuesday morning.
Although Leon will remain far from the country’s landmass, PAGASA is advising the public and disaster risk reduction and management offices to take all necessary precautions. (PNA)