Leon now a super typhoon; Signal No. 3 up in Batanes

Weather bureau PAGASA, in its 11 am bulletin, designated Leon as a “super typhoon” as center winds hit 185 kph and gusts reach 220 kph. Signal No. 3 is raised over Batanes and Babuyan Islands, but PAGASA projects Leon to make landfall in Taiwan on Friday. Cagayan, parts of Isabela and other sections of Babuyan Islands are under Signal 2 where storm surge could reach up to 12 meters high. Leon’s strong winds extend up to 600 kilometers from the typhoon’s center.