MANILA — Tropical storm Kong-rey is expected to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) late Saturday night or early Sunday morning, October 27, according to the Philippine weather bureau, PAGASA.
Once within PAR, the storm will be named “Leon.”
As of 10 a.m. Saturday, Kong-rey was positioned 1,630 kilometers east of Central Luzon. The storm is tracking westward, carrying sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour near its center and gusts reaching up to 80 km/h.
PAGASA expects Kong-rey to gradually strengthen over the Philippine Sea, potentially reaching the severe tropical storm category on Sunday and progressing to a typhoon by Monday.
The storm’s outer rainbands may impact the northernmost areas of Luzon.
Additionally, it could enhance southwesterly winds, initially influenced by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine, potentially bringing rainfall to parts of Southern Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao in the coming days.