MANILA, Philippines — Severe Tropical Storm 'Leon' slightly intensified and is nearing typhoon category, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said on Tuesday.

Signal No. 1 is up over 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 and Real), Camarines Norte, the eastern portion of Camarines Sur (Tinambac, Siruma, Goa, Lagonoy, San Jose, Garchitorena, Caramoan, Presentacion, Tigaon, Calabanga and Saglay), Catanduanes, the eastern portion of Albay (Rapu-Rapu, Bacacay, City of Tabaco, Tiwi, Malilipot, Malinao, Santo Domingo and Manito), and the northeastern portion of Sorsogon (Prieto Diaz, City of Sorsogon and Gubat).