Severe Tropical Storm (STS) Leon has reached the typhoon category as of 10 AM on Tuesday, announced the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

Its maximum sustained winds have gone up from 110 kilometers per hour (kph) to 130 kph near its eye, with a gustiness topping 160 kph compared to its 135 kph just earlier this morning.

The typhoon was located 565 km northeast of Virac, Catanduanes, and determined to be heading west northwestward at a speed of 10 kph.

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 2 has been hoisted over the following areas:

• Batanes
• Babuyan Islands
• The eastern part of mainland Cagayan: Gattaran, Baggao, Lal-Lo, Aparri, Camalaniugan, Buguey, Santa Teresita, Gonzaga, Santa Ana, Pe
• Northeastern Isabela: Divilacan, Palanan, Maconacon

Meanwhile, the following areas are under Signal No. 1:

• The rest of mainland Cagayan
• The rest of Isabela
• Quirino
• Nueva Vizcaya
• Apayao, Kalinga
• Abra
• Mountain Province
• Ifugao, Benguet
• Ilocos Norte
• Ilocos Sur
• La Union
• Aurora
• Northern Quezon, which includes Polillo Islands: General Nakar, Infanta, and Real
• Camarines Norte
• Eastern Camarines Sur: Tinambac, Siruma, Goa, Lagonoy, San Jose, Garchitorena, Caramoan, Presentacion, Tigaon, Calabanga, and Saglay
• Catanduanes
• Eastern Albay: Rapu-Rapu, Bacacay, City of Tabaco, Tiwi, Malilipot, Malinao, Santo Domingo, and Manito)
• Northeastern Sorsogon: Prieto Diaz, City of Sorsogon, and Gubat

Gusty winds are to be expected in the areas of:

• Bataan
• Metro Manila
• CALABARZON
• MIMAROPA
• Bicol Region
• Visayas
• Dinagat Islands
• Surigao del Norte
• Camiguin

A gale warning has been issued for the Northern Luzon and eastern seaboards of Central and Southern Luzon.