19 areas under Signal No. 1 as Wilma approaches Samar Island

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1 was raised over 19 areas in Luzon and Visayas as Tropical Depression Wilma moved closer to Eastern and Northern Samar, weather service PAGASA said Saturday.

In its 11 a.m. update, PAGASA said intermittent rains and winds of 39 to 61 kph were expected within 36 hours in the following areas under Signal No. 1:

Luzon

• Sorsogon
• Masbate, including Ticao and Burias Islands
• Romblon
• Southern portion of Oriental Mindoro (Bulalacao, Mansalay, Roxas, Bongabong)
• Southern portion of Occidental Mindoro (Magsaysay, San Jose, Rizal, Calintaan)
• Northernmost portion of Palawan (Araceli, Dumaran, El Nido, Taytay) including Cuyo, Calamian, and Cagayancillo Islands

Visayas

• Northern Samar
• Eastern Samar
• Samar
• Biliran
• Northern and central portions of Leyte (Tunga, Pastrana, San Miguel, Mahaplag, Matag-Ob, Tolosa, Palo, Calubian, Leyte, Mayorga, Julita, Carigara, Babatngon, Dagami, Inopacan, Jaro, Abuyog, San Isidro, Santa Fe, Albuera, Villaba, La Paz, Palompon, Macarthur, Tabontabon, Tanauan, Merida, Ormoc City, Isabel, Javier, Dulag, Capoocan, Alangalang, Hindang, City of Baybay, Burauen, Tabango, Tacloban City, Kananga, Barugo)
• Northern and central portions of Cebu (Daanbantayan, Medellin, City of Bogo, San Remigio, Tabogon, Borbon, Tabuelan, Tuburan, Sogod, Catmon, Asturias, Carmen, Danao City, Balamban, Compostela, Liloan, Consolacion, Mandaue City, Cebu City, City of Talisay, Minglanilla, Toledo City, Pinamungahan, City of Naga, Lapu-Lapu City, Cordova) including Bantayan Islands and Camotes Islands
• the northern portion of Negros Oriental (Canlaon City, Vallehermoso, City of Guihulngan)
• the northern and central portions of Negros Occidental (Sagay City, City of Escalante, Toboso, Calatrava, Enrique B. Magalona, City of Victorias, Manapla, Cadiz City, Bacolod City, City of Talisay, Silay City, Salvador Benedicto, San Carlos City, Murcia, Bago City, La Carlota City, La Castellana, Moises Padilla, Valladolid, Pulupandan, San Enrique, Pontevedra, Isabela, Hinigaran)
• Guimaras
• Iloilo
• Capiz
• Aklan
• Antique, including Caluya Islands

"Minimal to minor impacts from strong winds are possible within any of the areas under Wind Signal No. 1," PAGASA said.

Further, the Northeast Monsoon or Amihan was also expected to bring strong to gale-force gusts over most of Luzon, Visayas, and Zamboanga Peninsula even though these were not under Wind Signal warnings. 

This would be experienced especially in coastal and upland areas exposed to winds.

Track and intensity outlook

PAGASA said Tropical Depression Wilma is forecast to move generally westward for majority of the forecast period.

"On the forecast track, the center of [Wilma] may make its initial landfall over Eastern Samar or Northern Samar today (Saturday)," it said.

Wilma's eye

The center of Tropical Depression Wilma was estimated based on all available data over the coastal waters of Sulat, Eastern Samar (11.8 °N, 125.9 °E ). It is moving westward slowly with maximum sustained winds of 45 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 55 kph. — VDV, GMA Integrated News