Dolores: Tropical Depression Wilma accelerated slightly hours after making landfall in Dolores, Eastern Samar, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Sunday. In its 5 a.m. advisory, the weather bureau noted that the center of Wilma is now in the vicinity of Calbayog City, Samar, moving west northwestward at 15 km per hour (kph) with maximum sustained winds of 45 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 75 kph.
According to Philippines News Agency, PAGASA forecasts that Wilma will generally move west southwestward for the majority of the forecast period. It is expected to traverse Southern Luzon and Visayas on Sunday before emerging over the Sulu Sea and passing over northern Palawan by Monday morning. Wilma is likely to remain a tropical depression during its passage over Visayas and Palawan, before weakening into a low-pressure area over the West Philippine Sea due to the northeast monsoon, locally known as amihan.
Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1 has been hoisted over several areas, including Sorsogon, Masbate, Romblon, parts of Oriental and Occidental Mindoro, northern Palawan, and various areas in the Visayas, indicating potential minimal to minor impacts from strong winds. The amihan is expected to bring strong to gale-force gusts over most of Luzon, Visayas, and the Zamboanga Peninsula.
PAGASA also warned of potentially hazardous sea conditions, with waves up to five meters high predicted along the seaboards of mainland Cagayan, Isabela, Aurora, and others. Mariners of small seacrafts are advised against venturing out to sea under these conditions, especially if inexperienced or operating ill-equipped vessels.
In addition to Wilma and amihan, the shear line is expected to bring cloudy skies with slight rains over Northern and Central Luzon, Metro Manila, Bicol Region, Calabarzon, and Mimaropa.
