Ulysses nears typhoon strength before slamming Luzon, Metro Manila

MANILA (2nd UPDATE)Severe tropical storm Ulysses on Wednesday morning further strengthened and is nearing typhoon category as it continued its approach towards Luzon, the state weather bureau said.

The country's 21st storm was last spotted 135 kilometers north northeast of Virac, Catanduanes as of 7 a.m., packing maximum sustained winds of 110 km per hour near the center and 135 kph gusts while moving westward at 20 kph, according to PAGASA.

Ulysses, expected to become a typhoon in 6 to 12 hours, will reach peak intensity of 130-155 kph before landfall, the weather bureau said. It is likely to weaken when it crosses the Sierra Madre mountain range but it's expected to remain a typhoon while traversing the Luzon landmass, said PAGASA.

PAGASA has raised tropical cyclone wind signal (TCWS) No. 2 over Metro Manila and neighboring provinces. Due to the expected intensification of Ulysses, the weather agency said TCWS No. 3 may be hoisted over several provinces in Bicol region, Metro Manila and portions of Calabarzon and Central Luzon once the tropical cyclone develops into a typhoon.

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TCWS No. 2 was raised over the following areas, where 61-120 kph winds may cause damage to high risk structures, and down old wooden electric posts:

• Metro Manila
• central and southern portions of Quirino (Maddela, Cabarroguis, Aglipay, Nagtipunan)
• central and southern portions of Nueva Vizcaya (Kasibu, Bambang, Kayapa, Dupax Del Norte, Dupax Del Sur, Aritao, Santa Fe, Alfonso Castaneda)
• southern portion of Benguet (Bokod, Itogon, Tublay, La Trinidad, Sablan, Baguio City, Tuba)
• southern portion of La Union (Burgos, Naguilian, Bauang, Caba, Aringay, Tubao, Pugo, Santo Tomas, Rosario, Agoo)
• Pangasinan
• Zambales
• Bataan
• Tarlac
• Pampanga
• Nueva Ecija
• Aurora
• Bulacan
• Rizal
• Laguna
• Cavite
• Batangas
• Quezon including Polillo Islands
• Marinduque
• northern portion of Occidental Mindoro (Paluan, Abra de Ilog) including Lubang Island
• northern portion of Oriental Mindoro (Pola, Victoria, Naujan, Baco, Calapan City, San Teodoro, Puerto Galera)
• Camarines Norte
• Camarines Sur
• Albay
• Sorsogon
• Catanduanes
• Burias and Ticao Islands

Signal No. 1 was hoisted over the following areas, where 30-60 kph winds may rip roofs off nipa and cogon huts, damage rice crops and down banana plants:

• Isabela
• rest of Quirino
• rest of Nueva Vizcaya
• Kalinga
• Mountain Province
• Ifugao
• rest of Benguet
• Abra
• Ilocos Sur
• rest of La Union
• rest of Occidental Mindoro
• rest of Oriental Mindoro
• Romblon
• rest of Masbate Northern Samar
• northern portion of Samar (Santo Nino, Almagro, Tagapul-An, Tarangnan, Calbayog City, Santa Margarita, Gandara, Pagsanghan, San Jorge, San Jose de Buan, Matuguinao)
• northern portion of Eastern Samar (Maslog, Dolores, Oras, San Policarpo, Arteche, Jipapad)

Heavy to intense with at times torrential rains will prevail over Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, and Catanduanes while moderate to heavy with at times intense rains will be experienced in Albay, Sorsogon, Quezon including Polillo Islands, and Burias and Ticao Islands.

Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon and Visayas will experience light to moderate with at times heavy rains.

On Wednesday afternoon to early Thursday evening, heavy to intense with at times torrential rains will prevail over Metro Manila, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Calabarzon Aurora, Bulacan, Pampanga, and Bataan.

Moderate to heavy with at times intense rains will be experienced in the Cordilleras, mainland Cagayan Valley, Catanduanes, Marinduque, the northern portion of Mindoro Provinces, and the rest of Central Luzon while light to moderate with at times heavy rains will prevail over the rest of Luzon and Visayas.

Flooding, rain-induced landslides, and sediment-laden streamflow, like lahar from nearby volcanoes, may occur during heavy or prolonged rainfall in affected areas.

The Philippines may experience at least four more storms before the year ends, PAGASA said.

• 4 more storms could hit Philippines by year-end: PAGASA

Visit the ABS-CBN Weather Center for more updates.

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