Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal no.2 may be hoisted in some areas of the Bicol Region as early as tonight, Pagasa said on its severe weather bulletin at 5 am, Tuesday.
Tropical Storm Ulyssess has slowed down while moving northwestward with maximum sustained winds of 65 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 80 km/h.
At 4:00 AM today, the center of Tropical Storm Ulyssess was estimated based on all available data at 555 km East of Virac, Catanduanes.
In anticipation of the onset of strong breeze to near gale conditions associated with Ulyssess, Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) #1 is now in effect over more localities CALABARZON, Bicol Region, and Eastern Visayas. More areas in these regions will be placed under TCWS #1 in the next bulletin. TCWS #2 may be hoisted in some areas of the Bicol Region as early as tonight. Based on the intensity forecast, the highest wind signal to be hoisted during Ulysses’ passage will be TCWS #3.
Today, the tail-end of a cold front (shear line) will bring light to moderate with at times heavy rains over Cagayan, including Babuyan Islands, Isabela, and Apayao. Light to moderate with at times heavy rains due to Ulyssess will also be experienced over Aurora, Quezon, Bicol Region, Eastern Visayas, Caraga, and Davao Region. Moderate to heavy rains associated with the rainbands of Ulyssess will begin affecting the Bicol Region and portions of Eastern Visayas tomorrow.
Signal no.2 may be raised over Bicol region due to Ulysses
On the forecast track, Tropical Storm Ulyssess will generally move northwestward today, then turn more westward tomorrow. On the forecast track, Ulysses’ center is more likely to make landfall over Quezon on Thursday morning, with a close approach of Catanduanes and Camarines Norte tomorrow afternoon and evening, respectively. However, the slight shift in the track forecast orientation shows an increased likelihood of landfall over the Bicol Region tomorrow afternoon or evening.
Ulysses is forecast to intensify into a severe tropical storm tonight. Owing to favorable conditions, this storm may reach the typhoon category by tomorrow morning and reach its peak intensity (140-155 km/h) tomorrow afternoon or evening. Landfall at or near peak intensity is highly likely.