Tropical storm Ulysses intensifies, 10 areas under Signal No. 1

Tropical Storm Ulysses has slightly intensified and accelerated while moving northwestward over the Philippine Sea.

Ten areas in Luzon and Visayas were placed under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1.

These areas include Catanduanes, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Albay, Sorsogon, parts of Masbate, parts of Quezon, Northern Samar, parts of Samar, and parts of Eastern Samar.

More areas in Calabarzon may be placed under TCWS No. 1 in the next bulletin.

TCWS No. 2 may be hoisted in some areas of the Bicol region by Tuesday afternoon.

The storm was located 555 kilometers east of Virac, Catanduanes, with maximum sustained winds of 65 kph and gusts of up to 80 kph as of Tuesday morning.

Ulysses is forecast to reach typhoon category by Wednesday morning and peak intensity of 140-155 kph by Wednesday afternoon or evening.

A potential landfall is expected between Wednesday evening and Thursday morning in Quezon, with an increasing likelihood of landfall over the Bicol region between Wednesday afternoon or evening.

Ulysses may traverse south of Metro Manila between Thursday morning and afternoon.

Central Luzon, southern Luzon, Metro Manila, and other parts of the Visayas need to prepare for the possible direct effects of Ulysses.