Himawari-9/RAMMB satellite imagery 

MANILA (UPDATED) — More areas were placed under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 as severe tropical storm Leon (international name: Kong-rey) further intensified, the state weather bureau said Monday afternoon.

In its 11 p.m. weather bulletin, PAGASA said Leon was last located 705 kilometers east of Echague, Isabela, packing maximum sustained winds of 100 kilometers per hour near the center, with gusts of up to 125 kph.

Leon is currently moving westward slowly and is expected to move in the same direction until Tuesday afternoon.

Signal No. 1 was hoisted over the following areas, which may experience strong winds within the next 36 hours:

• •Batanes
  • •Cagayan including Babuyan Islands
  • •Isabela
  • •Quirino
  • •Nueva Vizcaya
  • •Apayao
  • •Kalinga
  • •Abra
  • •Mountain Province
  • •Ifugao
  • •Northern portion of Benguet (Bakun, Kibungan, Atok, Bokod, Mankayan, Buguias, Kabayan)
  • •Ilocos Norte
  • •Ilocos Sur
  • •Aurora
  • •Northern portion of Quezon including Polillo Islands (General Nakar, Infanta, Real)
  • •Camarines Norte
  • •Eastern portion of Camarines Sur (Tinambac, Siruma, Goa, Lagonoy, San Jose, Garchitorena, Caramoan, Presentacion, Tigaon, Calabanga, Saglay)
  • •Catanduanes
  • •Eastern portion of Albay (Rapu-Rapu, Bacacay, City of Tabaco, Tiwi, Malilipot, Malinao, Santo Domingo, Manito)
  • •Northeastern portion of Sorsogon (Prieto Diaz, City of Sorsogon, Gubat)
  • •Eastern portion of Northern Samar (San Roque, Pambujan, Catubig, Laoang, Palapag, Gamay, Lapinig, Mapanas, Mondragon)
  • •Northern portion of Eastern Samar (Jipapad, Arteche, Oras, San Policarpo)
   

Forecast track of Severe Tropical Storm Leon. PAGASA

PAGASA also said the trough of Leon will bring heavy to intense rains over Cagayan, including Babuyan Islands, and moderate to heavy rains over Batanes, Apayao, Ilocos Norte, Isabela, Calamian Islands, Occidental Mindoro, Negros Occidental, and Antique until Tuesday afternoon.

Leon is forecast to make landfall along the eastern coast of Taiwan on Thursday, before turning northeast towards the East China Sea.

While at sea, Leon is expected to rapidly intensify and may reach typhoon category within the next 12 hours. It may also reach super typhoon category during its period of closest approach to Batanes.

It is expected to exit the Philippine area of responsibility on Friday.