Leon weakens into storm, exits PAR

MANILA, Philippines — Leon (international name: Kong-Rey) has weakened from a typhoon to a severe tropical storm and exited the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) early Friday morning, according to the state weather bureau.

In its 5:00 a.m. bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said that Leon was last located some 550 kilometers (km) north-northwest of Itbayat, Batanes, with a maximum wind speed of 100 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center, gusts of up to 140 kph and moving north at 20 kph.

All tropical cyclone wind signals nationwide have been lifted.

Strong winds, however, are still expected in parts of Northern Luzon.

“The wind flow coming towards the circulation of Leon will also bring gusty conditions (strong to gale-force) over the following localities (especially in coastal and upland areas exposed to winds) outside Wind Signal areas: Batanes, Babuyan Islands, northeastern mainland Cagayan, and eastern Isabela,” Pagasa warned.

Rough sea conditions are likewise expected in the said areas, Pagasa added.

Cloudy skies and scattered rain showers and thunderstorms due trough of the storm are expected in Occidental Mindoro, Zambales, Palawan, and Bataan.

Partly cloudy skies, isolated rain showers, and thunderstorms are forecast in Metro Manila and the rest of the country.