Ulysses not yet affecting Philippines; landfall in Bicol possible on Wednesday

Tropical Depression Ulysses is not yet affecting any portion of the Philippines as of late Sunday night but is likely to make landfall in the Bicol region on Wednesday, PAGASA said.

In its 11 p.m. bulletin, the state weather bureau said Ulysses will intensify into the tropical storm category within the next 24 to 36 hours and become a typhoon prior to its landfall on Wednesday.

The center of the cyclone was last located 800 kilometers east of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur packing maximum sustained winds of 45 kilometers per hour (kph) and gustiness of up to 55 kph.

It is moving northwestward at 15 kph.

Hazards

PAGASA said the winds and rainfall associated with Ulysses will likely begin affecting parts of Eastern Visayas and Bicol region on Tuesday or Wednesday.

Storm signals may also be raised over areas in Bicol and Eastern Visayas by Monday evening of Tuesday morning “in anticipation of the onset of strong breeze to near gale conditions associated with Ulysses.”

Meanwhile, Ulysses and the prevailing easterlies will bring moderate to rough seas over the eastern seaboards of the country.
Forecast positions

PAGASA said Ulysses “will move generally northwestward tonight (Sunday) through Tuesday morning. Afterwards, it is forecast to turn westward and head towards the Bicol Region.”

By Monday evening, it will be 655 kilometers east of Borongan City, Eastern Samar
By Tuesday evening, Ulysses will be 400 kilometers east of Virac, Catanduanes.
By Wednesday evening, the cyclone will be 75 kilometers northeast of Virac, Catanduanes.

By Thursday evening, it will move to 240 kilometers west-northwest of Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro.

Ulysses will be outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility or 765 kilometers west of Calapan City by Friday evening.

After ravaging Bicol just last week, Typhoon Rolly claimed at least 21 lives in the region alone, according to the Office of Civil Defense. 

The storm, the strongest recorded on earth this year so far, also displaced over 110,000 individuals who are currently housed in evacuation shelters.  — Julia Mari Ornedo/BM, GMA News