Tropical cyclone wind signal no. 3 has been hoisted in Batanes and eastern Babuyan Islands Wednesday as typhoon Leon further intensified as it moves west northwestward over the Philippine Sea.

As of 4 a.m., the center of the eye of typhoon Leon was estimated based on all available data at 395 km East of Calayan, Cagayan.

Packing 165 kph winds near the center and gusts of up to 205 kph, Leon is moving west northwestward at 15 kph and is likely be at or near super typhoon intensity during its closest point of approach to Batanes. Landfall in Batanes has not been ruled out.

Wind Signal No. 4 will be the highest possible warning but raising of Signal No. 5 in Batanes is not ruled out, weather bureau PAGASA said.

Tropical cyclone wind signal no. 2, indicating gale-force winds, is hoisted over the following areas:

Luzon

The rest of Babuyan Islands, Cagayan, the northern and eastern portions of Isabela (Santo Tomas, Santa Maria, Quezon, San Mariano, Naguilian, Dinapigue, Delfin Albano, San Pablo, Ilagan City, Benito Soliven, Tumauini, Cabagan, Palanan, Quirino, Divilacan, Gamu, Mallig, Maconacon, Burgos, City of Cauayan, San Guillermo, Angadanan, Cabatuan, Luna, Reina Mercedes, Roxas, Aurora, San Manuel), Apayao, Kalinga, the northern and eastern portions of Abra (Tineg, Lacub, Malibcong, Lagayan, San Juan, Lagangilang, Licuan-Baay, Daguioman), the eastern portion of Mountain Province (Paracelis), and Ilocos Norte

TCWS No. 1 is in effect over the following areas: 

Luzon

The rest of Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, the rest of Mountain Province, Ifugao, Benguet, the rest of Abra, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Nueva Ecija, Aurora, the northeastern portion of Tarlac (Camiling, San Clemente, Paniqui, Moncada, Anao, San Manuel, Pura, Ramos, Victoria, Gerona, Santa Ignacia, City of Tarlac, La Paz), the northern portion of Bulacan (Doña Remedios Trinidad, San Miguel), the northern portion of Quezon (Infanta, General Nakar) including Polillo Islands, Camarines Norte, the northern portion of Camarines Sur (Siruma, Tinambac, Lagonoy, Garchitorena, Caramoan), and the northern and eastern portions of Catanduanes (Pandan, Gigmoto, Bagamanoc, Panganiban, Viga, Baras, Caramoran)

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:

Bataan, 

Metro Manila, 

CALABARZON, 

MIMAROPA, 

Bicol Region, 

most of Visayas, and 

Dinagat Islands.

PAGASA has hoisted a gale warning over the seaboard of Northern Luzon and the eastern seaboards of Central and Southern Luzon.

“Sea travel is risky all types or tonnage of vessels. All mariners must remain in port or, if underway, seek shelter or safe harbor as soon as possible until winds and waves subside,” the bureau said.