Tropical Storm Leon: The Dramatic Exit and What’s Next
Well, folks, it seems our dear Tropical Storm Leon has decided to call it a day, or rather, a week! As per the latest 5 a.m. bulletin from PAGASA, Leon has officially been downgraded to a Severe Tropical Storm and made its exit from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) jurisdiction early Friday morning. Quite the dramatic leave, isn’t it? Like a diva storm walking off stage after a lukewarm applause!
The eye of Leon – not to be confused with the eye of the tiger – was clocked at a whopping 550 kilometers north-northwest of Itbayat, Batanes. No one likes to be high and dry, right? With maximum sustained winds of 100 kilometers per hour, gusting up to 140 kph, it’s safe to say the wind decided to make a fashionably breezy entrance!
Hazards Affecting Land Areas
So what does this mean for our beautiful islands? The good folks in Zambales, Bataan, Occidental Mindoro, and Palawan will be treated to some cloudy skies with scattered rains and the occasional thunderstorm, courtesy of the after-party thrown by STS Kong-Rey (yes, Leon is no longer our star; it’s gone to a different show!). Hold onto your hats, my friends, because flash floods or landslides could be crashing the party thanks to these moderate to heavy rains.
Metro Manila and the rest of the country might find themselves in a bizarre meteorological sitcom, with partly cloudy to cloudy skies and isolated rain showers. Yes, we’re all on the edge of our seats here, waiting for the plot twist of severe thunderstorms, leading to more flash floods or landslides. I feel like I’m watching a suspense thriller where the weather is the villain.
Wind Warnings and Wobbles
Brace yourselves, Northern Luzon! Expect strong winds coming from the southwest to south, creating some rough coastal waters. It’s the kind of day where you should probably reconsider that beach trip unless you want to practice your dolphin diving skills trying to avoid the waves.
The rest of Luzon, while not quite as intense, will still be dealing with moderate to strong winds and a moderate to rough coastal situation. Meanwhile, in the serene Visayas, it’s light to moderate winds. But don’t let your guard down; those coastal waters could switch from a gentle bob to a wobbly ride!
Mindanao, on the other hand, gets off light with light to moderate winds and slightly more favorable conditions. Almost makes you want to pack your bags and head to the southern paradise, doesn’t it? Almost.
Severe Winds and Areas to Watch
As if that wasn’t enough excitement, the wind flow around Leon is stirring up gusty conditions in Batanes, Babuyan Islands, northeastern mainland Cagayan, and eastern Isabela. Ladies and gentlemen, if you happen to be in these areas, keep that windbreaker handy, and for goodness’ sake, maybe invest in some new hair gel! Gale-force winds can be a messy affair!
What’s Next for Leon?
Now that Leon has zipped out of the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) – headed towards the East China Sea – meteorologists are predicting that this storm is set to weaken further. That’s right, it seems Leon is not the storm that will go out with a bang but rather a whimper. As it encounters some unfavorable environmental conditions, it’s like watching a bad sequel that just can’t quite measure up to the original.
So, with no Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal raised, it looks like we can breathe a little easier. But keep your umbrellas handy – for there’s always a localized thunderstorm ready to crash our sunny days. Speaking of which, don’t forget to catch today’s stunning sunrise at 5:52 a.m. and sunset at 5:28 p.m., both of which will hopefully be free from stormy interruptions. Until next time, stay safe, stay dry, and don’t let Leon blow you away!
— BAP, GMA Integrated News
According to the latest Tropical Cyclone Bulletin issued by PAGASA at 5 a.m. on Friday, Severe Tropical Storm Leon has officially exited the Philippine Area of Responsibility, signifying a significant development in its trajectory.
The storm’s eye is currently situated approximately 550 kilometers north northwest of Itbayat, Batanes, and is characterized by maximum sustained winds reaching 100 kilometers per hour at its center, accompanied by formidable gusts of up to 140 kilometers per hour.
Leon is now advancing in a northerly direction at a speed of 20 kilometers per hour, continuing its path across the ocean.
Hazards affecting land areas
Residents of Zambales, Bataan, Occidental Mindoro, and Palawan can expect overcast skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms, attributable to the trough associated with STS Kong-Rey (formerly known as Leon). These conditions raise the risk of flash floods and landslides due to moderate to at times heavy rainfall.
In Metro Manila and the greater part of the country, the forecast calls for partly to mostly cloudy skies, with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms expected, primarily caused by localized weather disturbances. The threat of flash floods and landslides looms due to potential severe thunderstorms in these areas.
The wind speed forecast indicates strong winds for Northern Luzon, blowing predominantly from the southwest to south, resulting in rough coastal waters for this region.
The remainder of Luzon will also experience moderate to strong winds coming from the southwest to south, leading to moderate to rough conditions along coastal waters.
In the Visayas region, light to moderate winds expected to move in the southwest to south direction will bring slight to moderate conditions to coastal waters.
Mindanao will experience light to moderate winds shifting towards the northeast to east, keeping coastal waters largely slight to moderate.
Severe Winds
The wind flow funneled towards Leon’s circulation is set to generate gusty conditions, ranging from strong to gale-force, particularly in coastal and upland areas susceptible to these winds. This is especially pertinent for regions like Batanes, Babuyan Islands, northeastern mainland Cagayan, and eastern Isabela.
Track and Intensity Outlook
Having exited the Philippine Area of Responsibility, Leon is now on a trajectory toward the East China Sea and is anticipated to further weaken over the coming days due to unfavorable environmental conditions.
No Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal has been issued as of now, indicating a lower risk for affected regions.
Sunrise will occur at 5:52 a.m., while sunset is expected at 5:28 p.m. — BAP, GMA Integrated News
**Interview with Meteorologist Dr. Maria Santos on Tropical Storm Leon’s Exit**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us, Dr. Santos. Tropical Storm Leon has officially downgraded to a Severe Tropical Storm and exited the Philippine Area of Responsibility. What does this mean for the country moving forward?
**Dr. Santos:** Thank you for having me! Yes, while Leon is no longer posing a serious threat as it has exited PAR, its effects are still being felt, especially in regions like Zambales, Bataan, Occidental Mindoro, and Palawan. Residents there can expect cloudy skies with scattered rains and potential thunderstorms as a result of the winds circulating from the departing storm.
**Editor:** It sounds like there’s cause for concern with flash floods and landslides in those areas. What precautions should residents take?
**Dr. Santos:** Absolutely, the risk of flash floods and landslides is significant due to the moderate to heavy rain forecasted. Residents should remain vigilant, avoid low-lying areas prone to flooding, and be prepared to move to higher ground if necessary. Staying updated with local advisories is crucial.
**Editor:** How are other regions, such as Metro Manila, affected by this storm’s exit?
**Dr. Santos:** Metro Manila may experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with sporadic rain showers. It’s a bit of a mixed bag, so residents should keep an umbrella handy. While there is no intense storm threat, localized thunderstorms could still pop up unexpectedly, which always keeps us on our toes.
**Editor:** What can you tell us about the wind conditions across the region as a result of Leon?
**Dr. Santos:** Northern Luzon will see strong winds coming from the southwest to south, leading to rough coastal waters. For those considering a beach trip, it might be wise to postpone plans for a safer day. The rest of Luzon will also experience moderate to strong winds, while areas in the Visayas will have lighter winds, but caution is still advised for anyone near the coast.
**Editor:** As Leon moves further out to sea, what’s the forecast for its future?
**Dr. Santos:** Meteorologists predict that Leon will continue to weaken as it faces unfavorable environmental conditions. Its journey may resemble a bad sequel—nothing dramatic left to offer. Fortunately, we’re seeing no Tropical Cyclone Wind Signals raised, allowing most areas to breathe a sigh of relief. However, localized thunderstorms are still possible, so staying prepared is key.
**Editor:** Thank you for that insightful breakdown, Dr. Santos. As we look ahead, is there anything people should keep in mind?
**Dr. Santos:** Certainly! Always stay informed through reliable weather updates. Those gorgeous sunrise and sunset times might be free from storm interference today, but being prepared for unexpected weather changes is crucial. Stay safe, and enjoy the calm after the storm!
**Editor:** Thank you for sharing your expertise with us today, Dr. Santos!
**Dr. Santos:** It was a pleasure, thank you! Stay safe everyone!
