“Leon” (international name Kong-Rey) has weakened into a typhoon but continues to affect Luzon, a Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) forecaster said yesterday.

“It continues to affect mostly Northern Luzon. Leon’s trough could possibly bring rain across the whole island,” Veronica Torres of Pagasa said in a briefing shortly before noon.

“Leon” packs maximum sustained winds of 175 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 215 kph. It was located 155 kilometers north of Itbayat, Batanes as of 10:00 a.m.

Torres said heavy to intense rains, and storm-force winds will prevail across Batanes where Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 3 is hoisted.

Gale force winds will be experienced in Babuyan Islands, which are currently under TCWS No. 2.

Pagasa forecast strong winds in areas under TCWS No. 1: mainland Cagayan, Isabela, Apayao, Abra, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, the northern portion of Benguet, Ilocos Norte, and Ilocos Sur.

Pagasa also forecast gale force winds to prevail in these areas due to Leon: most of Cordillera Administrative Region, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Aurora, Bataan, Metro Manila, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol Region, Northern Samar, and most of Western Visayas.

“Within the next 48 hours, there is a high risk of life-threatening storm surge with peak heights exceeding three meters above normal tide levels over the low-lying or exposed coastal localities of Batanes and Babuyan Islands,” Pagasa added.

Meanwhile, Torres said the cyclone is forecast to make landfall over the eastern coast of Taiwan.

“Leon” is expected to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility yesterday or on Friday, November 1. (PNA)