Tropical Storm Leon to intensify in 24 hours

MANILA, Philippines — Tropical Storm Leon is expected to intensify in the next 24 hours after entering the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR), according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

Leon entered PAR at 7:30 p.m. Saturday but remained far from the Philippine landmass yesterday.

“This tropical cyclone is expected to gradually intensify in the next 24 hours and may reach severe tropical storm category (by Monday) and typhoon category on Tuesday. This tropical cyclone may also undergo rapid intensification,” PAGASA added.

As of 4 p.m. yesterday, the tropical storm with international name Kong-Rey was located 1,000 kilometers east of Central Luzon, packing maximum sustained winds of 75 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 90 km per hour as it moves westward at 20 kph.

PAGASA said Leon may make landfall over the southwestern portion of the Ryukyu Islands, Japan.

PAGASA weather specialist Glaiza Escullar said that tropical cyclone wind signal No. 1 is expected to be hoisted in portions of Cagayan Valley and northeastern portion of Bicol region, particularly Catanduanes today.

She said that the highest wind signal which may be hoisted will be signal No. 2.

Escullar added that strong rains are expected in Occidental Mindoro, Antique and northern Palawan in the next few days.

“Starting Wednesday, strong rains will be experienced in Cagayan, Apayao, Batanes, Babuyan Island, big portion of Northern Luzon and a big portion of Mimaropa and Calabarzon,” Escullar said.

“Heavy to intense rains of 100 millimeters are expected on Thursday, although starting Tuesday, these areas will start to experience moderate rains,” she added.

Strong rains are also expected in Antique, Occidental Mindoro, northern Palawan starting Tuesday until Friday.

According to Escullar, Metro Manila will experience cloudy skies starting Wednesday until Friday.

“Localized thunderstorms are expected especially in the afternoon and in the evening,” she said.

Meanwhile, Escullar said there is now a low possibility of interaction between Leon and Severe Tropical Storm Kristine.

“There was a previous forecast that there would be interaction between the two typhoons but that possibility becomes nil. Kristine may loop but it is unlikely to enter PAR and may only approach the West Philippines Sea as a low-pressure area and its effect on the country is no longer expected,” Escullar added.

Kristine left PAR on Friday after devastating many regions.