Leon may develop into severe tropical storm or typhoon

Tropical Storm Leon. Image from Pagasa

MANILA, Philippines — Tropical Storm Leon (international name: Kong-rey) slightly intensified over the Philippine Sea and is expected to develop into a severe tropical storm in the next 24 hours, the state weather bureau said on Sunday.

In its 5 p.m. bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said Leon “may reach severe tropical storm category tomorrow and typhoon category on Tuesday” and it “may also undergo rapid intensification.”

READ: 158 calamity areas declared, 5.7 million affected, Kristine death toll at 85

Leon’s effects may prompt Pagasa to raise Signal No. 1 over Cagayan Valley or the northeastern portion of the Bicol Region by Sunday night or Monday morning.

The storm is also expected to bring gusty conditions (strong to gale-force) over the following areas:

• Palawan
• Romblon
• Catanduanes
• Sorsogon
• Masbate
• Most of Visayas
• Dinagat Islands
• Surigao del Norte
• Camiguin

Leon was last monitored 1,000 kilometers east of Central Luzon, packing maximum sustained winds of 75 kilometers per hour and gusts of up to 90 kph.

It may pass very close or make landfall in Taiwan or the southwestern portion of the Ryukyu Islands, Pagasa added.