Violent conditions continue over extreme Northern Luzon as Super Typhoon “Leon” passes close to Batanes, the state weather bureau said on Thursday.
In a 5 am advisory, PAGASA hoisted a Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) no. 5 over the northern and eastern portions of Batanes and TCWS No. 4 for the rest of Batanes.
TCWS No. 3 is raised over the northern portion of Babuyan Islands, while TCWS No. 2 is raised over the rest of Babuyan Islands, mainland Cagayan, the northern portion of Isabela, Apayao, and Ilocos Norte.
Areas under TCWS No. 1 include the rest of Isabela, Quirino, the northern and central portions of Nueva Vizcaya, Abra, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Benguet, Ilocos Sur, La Union, and the northern and central portions of Aurora.
Super Typhoon “Leon” is moving northwestward at 20 kilometers per hour with maximum sustained winds of 195 kilometers per hour near the center and gusts of up to 240 kilometers per hour.
Its center was last estimated at 100 km east northeast of Itbayat, Batanes.
“Within the next 48 hours, there is a high risk of life-threatening storm surge with peak heights exceeding 3.0 m above normal tide levels over the low-lying or exposed coastal localities of Batanes and Babuyan Islands,” it warned.
The weather disturbance is forecast to move northwestward over the seas of extreme Northern Luzon until it makes landfall along the eastern coast of Taiwan by Thursday afternoon, and exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) Thursday night or Friday early morning.
Based on PAGASA’s forecast, a landfall scenario in Batanes is now becoming less likely.
“This super typhoon has reached its peak intensity while passing close to Batanes. “Leon” may weaken into a typhoon over the next 12 hours prior to landfall over Taiwan.”
