Signal No. 4 hoisted as Super Typhoon Leon nears Batanes

MANILA, Philippines — State weather bureau PAGASA has raised Signal No. 4 over Batanes as Super Typhoon Leon approaches the province on Wednesday, October 30.

As of 2 p.m., Leon’s eye was located 310 kilometers east of Calayan, Cagayan, moving northwestward at 15 kilometers per hour (kph). 

Leon currently sustains peak winds of 185 kph near its center, with gusts reaching up to 230 kph. 

As it nears Batanes, PAGASA said it remains possible for the super typhoon to make landfall in the province.

PAGASA placed the following areas under tropical cyclone wind signals:

Signal No. 4, typhoon-force winds (18 kph to 184 kph)

Signal No. 3, storm-face winds (89 kph to 117 kph)

Signal No. 2, gale-force winds (62 kph to 88 kph)

Signal No. 1, strong winds (39 kph to 61 kph)

The state weather bureau said that although no wind signal was raised for the following areas, they still experienced “gusty conditions” on Wednesday:

Storm surge. Coastal flooding is also likely within the next 48 hours as storm surges could exceed 3.0 meters above normal tide levels, putting coastal areas in Batanes and Babuyan Islands at risk, PAGASA said. 

Super Typhoon Leon is expected to cross the Philippine Sea before it makes landfall in Taiwan by Thursday, October 31. 

PAGASA anticipates Leon to exit the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) by Thursday evening or early morning of Friday, November 1.