Typhoon Leon weakens, makes landfall in Taiwan

Typhoon Leon has weakened and made landfall in southeastern Taiwan, while still affecting parts of Luzon.

As of 4 p.m. on Thursday, Leon was located 320 km North Northwest of Itbayat, Batanes, near Chiayi County, Taiwan, moving northwest at 25 km/h.

Its maximum sustained winds have decreased to 155 km/h, down from a peak of 195 km/h as a super typhoon, but its gustiness increased to 255 km/h.

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2 remains in effect over northern Batanes, while Signal No. 1 is raised for the rest of Batanes, Babuyan Islands, northern mainland Cagayan, and northern Ilocos Norte.

PAGASA forecasts that Leon will continue to weaken and exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility between Thursday evening and early Friday morning, potentially making a second landfall over mainland China.

Heavy to intense rains may continue to affect Batanes and Babuyan Islands in the next 24 hours, while the trough of Leon may bring scattered light to moderate rain showers and thunderstorms to Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon.