10 areas still under Signal No. 1 as Ulysses slightly intensifies

Ten areas in Luzon and Visayas were placed under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1 as Tropical Storm Ulysses slightly intensifies and accelerates while moving northwestward over the Philippine Sea.

In its 11 a.m. bulletin, PAGASA reported that the following areas were under TCWS No. 1:

Luzon

• Catanduanes
• Camarines Norte
• Camarines Sur
• Albay
• Sorsogon
• the eastern portion of Masbate (Aroroy, Pio V. Corpuz, Cataingan, Palanas, Uson, Dimasalang, Masbate City, Mobo, Baleno) including Ticao and Burias Islands
• southern portion of Quezon (Atimonan, Padre Burgos, Agdangan, Unisan, Plaridel, Gumaca, Pitogo, Macalelon, General Luna, Lopez, Catanauan, Mulanay, San Francisco, San Andres, San Narciso, Buenavista, Guinayangan, Tagkawayan, Calauag, Quezon, Alabat, Perez)

Visayas

• Northern Samar
• the northern portion of Samar (Santo Nino, Almagro, Tagapul-An, Tarangnan, Calbayog City, Santa Margarita, Gandara, Pagsanghan, San Jorge, San Jose de Buan, Matuguinao)
• the northern portion of Eastern Samar (Maslog, Dolores, Oras, San Policarpo, Arteche, Jipapad)

Due to strong winds, PAGASA said more areas in Calabarzon may be placed under TCWS No. 1 in the next bulletin while TCWS no. 2 may be hoisted in some areas of Bicol region in the afternoon.

Track, intensity outlook

Tropical Storm Ulysses is expected to move generally northwestward Tuesday, then turn westward on Wednesday. PAGASA said its center is more likely to make landfall over Quezon on Thursday morning, with a close approach of Catanduanes and Camarines Norte on Wednesday afternoon and evening, respectively.

However, a slight southward shift was seen in the orientation of the track forecast, which increases a likelihood of landfall over Bicol Region on Wednesday afternoon or evening.

Ulysses is forecast to intensify into a severe tropical storm on Tuesday night, according to PAGASA. It may reach typhoon category by Wednesday morning and reach its peak intensity (130-155 km/h) on Wednesday afternoon or evening due to favorable conditions.

PAGASA added that landfall at or near peak intensity is highly likely.

As of 10 a.m. on Tuesday, the center of Tropical Storm Ulysses was estimated based on all available data at 475 km east of Virac, Catanduanes.

It is moving northwestward at 15 km/h with maximum sustained winds of 75 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 90 km/h.  --Jamil Santos/KBK, GMA News