The latest storm and low pressure information on the afternoon of December 6 from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said that tropical depression Wilma is still almost stationary in the coastal waters of Sorat, Eastern Samar.
Philippine weather forecasters said that 19 areas in Luzon and Visayas are still in the tropical storm warning area (TCWS) level 1 due to the influence of Wilma.
Areas under the TCWS wind warning level 1 due to tropical depression Wilma include: Luzon, Sorsogon, Masbate, Romblon, the southern part of Oriental Mindoro, the southern part of Occidental Mindoro, the northernmost part of Palawan.
Visayas, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Samar, Biliran, northern and central areas of Leyte, northern and central areas of Cebu, northern Negros Oriental, northern and central areas of Negros Occidental, Guimaras, Iloilo, Capiz, Aklan, Antique are also subject to the TCWS tropical storm wind warning level 1.
PAGASA said that tropical depression Wilma is maintaining its intensity, with maximum sustained winds of 45 km/h near the center and gusts of 55 km/h.
The tropical depression near the Philippines is forecast to make its first landfall in Eastern Samar or Northern Samar on December 6. The system will then pass through the Visayas region until December 7, then enter the Sulu Sea and may pass north of Palawan on the morning of December 8.
Philippine forecasters say Wilma is likely to maintain a tropical depression state throughout its journey through Visayas and Palawan, but is likely to weaken into a depression as it passes through the Visayas region due to the influence of the currently strengthening dry northeast monsoon.
Previously, this system was forecast to have the potential to strengthen into storm No. 16 when it enters the East Sea.
