‘Wilma’ to trigger intense rain; more areas under Signal No. 1 – PAGASA

Metro Manila, Philippines – The Visayas and Mindanao may expect heavy to intense rains until Friday afternoon as the weather bureau placed more areas  under Signal No. 1 with incoming Tropical Depression Wilma, according to a bulletin on Thursday afternoon, Dec. 4.

While still over the Philippine Sea, “Wilma” may trigger intense rain in the Samar provinces and Biliran.

PAGASA said moderate to heavy rainfall may occur in Leyte, Southern Leyte, Cebu, Bohol, Negros Oriental, Negros Occidental, Siquijor, Surigao del Norte, Dinagat Islands, Agusan del Norte, Misamis Oriental, and Camiguin.

In its 5 p.m. bulletin, the agency said “Wilma” was 575 kilometers (km) east of Catarman, Northern Samar, moving west southwestward at over a thousand km per hour (kph).

It has maximum sustained winds of 45 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 55 kph.

PAGASA said Signal No. 1 covers the following:

Luzon – the southern portion of mainland Masbate

Visayas – Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Samar, Biliran, Leyte, Southern Leyte, the northern portion of Cebu including Bantayan and Camotes Islands, and the eastern and central portions of Bohol

Mindanao – Surigao del Norte including Siargao and Bucas Grande Islands, Dinagat Islands, the northern portion of Surigao del Sur, and the northern portion of Agusan del Norte

Meanwhile, PAGASA said the northeast monsoon, characterized by cold winds that trigger rain, is expected to bring strong to gale-force gusts over the Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, Cagayan Valley, Aurora, Bataan, Calabarzon, the Mindoro provinces, Romblon, Marinduque, Bicol Region, and the Visayas.

Initial landfall

PAGASA said “Wilma” may initially hit Eastern Visayas or Dinagat Islands between Friday evening and Saturday morning.

“‘Wilma’ will slightly intensify before landfall but will likely remain a tropical depression throughout the forecast period,” the bureau said. “Further intensification is likely once it emerges over the West Philippine Sea.”

The tropical cyclone will cross the Visayas until Sunday, Dec. 7, and may pass over northern Palawan between Sunday evening and Monday.

On the other hand, a shear line will dump up to intense rains (100-200 mm) over Catanduanes, Albay, and Sorsogon, while up to heavy rains (50-100 mm) over Camarines Sur and Masbate.