Severe tropical storm Leon (international codename Kong-Rey) has slightly intensified and may soon develop into a typhoon, weather bureau PAGASA said Tuesday.

As of 4 a.m., the center of severe tropical storm Leon was estimated based on all available data at 645 km East of Tuguegarao City, Cagayan.

Packing 110 kph winds near the center and gusts of up to 135 kph, Leon may reach typhoon category within the next 12 hours.

“Furthermore, there is an increasing chance that Leon will reach super typhoon category during its period of closest approach to Batanes,” PAGASA said.

Leon is moving west northwest at 10 kph and is forecast to make landfall along the eastern coast of Taiwan on Thursday afternoon or evening.

PAGASA noted there is an increasing possibility of further westward shift in the track forecast and a landfall or close approach scenario on Batanes is not ruled out.

Tropical cyclone wind signal no. 1 is in effect in the following areas:

Luzon

Batanes, Cagayan including Babuyan Islands, Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Apayao, Kalinga, Abra, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Benguet, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Aurora, the northern portion of Quezon including Polillo Islands (General Nakar, Infanta, Real), Camarines Norte, the eastern portion of Camarines Sur (Tinambac, Siruma, Goa, Lagonoy, San Jose, Garchitorena, Caramoan, Presentacion, Tigaon, Calabanga, Saglay), Catanduanes, the eastern portion of Albay (Rapu-Rapu, Bacacay, City of Tabaco, Tiwi, Malilipot, Malinao, Santo Domingo, Manito), and the northeastern portion of Sorsogon (Prieto Diaz, City of Sorsogon, Gubat)

Visayas

The eastern portion of Northern Samar (San Roque, Pambujan, Catubig, Laoang, Palapag, Gamay, Lapinig, Mapanas, Mondragon) and the northern portion of Eastern Samar (Jipapad, Arteche, Oras, San Policarpo)

Leon’s rainbands will batter Batanes, Babuyan Islands, and Cagayan with intense to torrential rains and strong winds.

Moderate to intense rains may also be experienced over parts of Northern Luzon, as well as MIMAROPA, Western Visayas, and Negros due to the trough of the storm.