'Leon' weakens into severe tropical storm, now outside PAR — Pagasa

MANILA, Philippines — «LEON» weakened into a severe tropical storm and exited the country's area of responsibility, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said on Friday.

All storm signals have been lifted in affected areas, especially in extreme Northern Luzon, Pagasa administrator Servando Nathaniel told The Manila Times.

«Leon (international name: 'Kong-rey') has exited the Philippine Area of Responsibility and is now heading towards the East China Sea,» Servando said.

But the trough of the severe tropical storm is affecting Zambales, Occidental Mindoro and Palawan where overcast skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms will prevail, Pagasa said.

Over the next 24 hours, Metro Manila and the rest of the country will be experiencing isolated downpours or thunderstorms due to localized thunderstorms, the state-run weather agency said.