‘Leon’ now inside PAR – PAGASA

Metro Manila, Philippines — Tropical Storm Kong-Rey has entered the country’s monitoring space and was given the local name “Leon,” the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said.

PAGASA said Kong-Rey entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Saturday, 7:30 p.m.

Based on PAGASA’s 5 p.m. bulletin on Sunday, Leon was spotted 1,000 kilometers east of Central Luzon.

No wind signals have been raised so far.

Leon packs maximum sustained winds of 75 kilometers per hour (kph) and gustiness of up to 90 kph.

Strong- to gale-force gusts are expected over Palawan, Romblon, Catanduanes, Sorsogon, Masbate, most of Visayas, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, and Camiguin.

Leon may influence the southwesterly windflow, which may affect the western portion of Southern Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

Leon’s outer rainbands may also affect Extreme Northern Luzon.

Leon may develop into a severe tropical storm on Monday. It may further intensify into a typhoon on Tuesday, PAGASA said.