Leon intensifies into a severe tropical storm

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said that tropical cyclone Leon has intensified into a severe tropical storm.

Moving westward at 20 kilometers per hour (kph), Leon was estimated at 780 kilometers (kms) east of Echague, Isabela. It was packing maximum sustained winds of 95 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 115 kph.

In its 12 p.m. bulletin, Pagasa said Signal No. 3 or 4 may be hoisted in extreme Northern Luzon.

Signal No. 1 was raised in the eastern portion of mainland Cagayan (Santa Ana, Lal-Lo, Gattaran, Baggao, Santa Teresita, Gonzaga and Peñablanca), the eastern portion of Isabela (Maconacon, Divilacan, Ilagan City, San Pablo, Cabagan, Tumauini, Palanan, San Mariano and Dinapigue), and the northeastern portion of Catanduanes (Pandan, Bagamanoc, Panganiban and Viga) in Luzon.