Cebu to have improved weather as ‘Wilma’ weakens

Local

CEBU is heading into a calmer weekend as Tropical Depression Wilma shifts its rain-bearing clouds away from the province.

This significantly reduces the threat of heavy rainfall that had earlier been forecast for Central Visayas.

Engr. Al Quiblat, chief of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) Mactan, said on Saturday, Dec. 6, that Wilma’s disorganized structure, largely disrupted by the Northeast Monsoon (Amihan), prevented its cloud rain bands from affecting Cebu as initially expected.

“Wilma is not a dry system. Si Wilma wala lang gyud ta maapektuhan sa iyang cloud rain bands kay na-disorganized siya tungod sa Amihan,” Quiblat explained.

“Ang iyang cloudiness… pag-ulan, ni-shift didto sa Southern Luzon so nikalit usab ang behavior. Hinay man gyud siya nga bagyo, initially giexpect nato nga daghan pag-ulan diri sa atoa but mao to ni-shared man siya, wala na sa sentro ang pag-ulan. And nibalhin sad ang tracking more on Southern Luzon na, pa-Masbate… na-displaced with respect to Central Visayas ang mga pag-ulan, toa sa Southern Luzon,” he said.

Following the system’s weakening and shift in cloud distribution, Pagasa has lowered its rainfall expectations for Cebu.

“In terms of pag-ulan, wala na ta atong 50-100 mm rain volume na giexpect nato,” Quiblat said. “In fact, mag rainfall advisory ra ta sa Northern Cebu. Ang chance nga dunay mga heavy na pag-ulan due to Wilma is low na, pero naa lang gihapon chances pero low na ang chances. Kanang 100 mm, lisod na kaayo na maabot — maybe 50 mm.”

While intermittent rains remain possible due to the combined influence of Wilma and the Amihan, the risk of widespread heavy downpour across Cebu has dropped significantly.

Quiblat said conditions are expected to progressively improve beginning Sunday, as Wilma moves out of the Visayas landmass.

“Improving na atong weather most particularly ugma kay giexpect nato si Wilma makagawas sa landmass ugma sa hapon,” he said.

Pagasa forecasts Wilma to make landfall over Eastern Samar anytime today before crossing toward the northern portion of Panay Island. It is expected to exit the Visayas by late Sunday or early Monday and move toward Palawan.

By Tuesday, Quiblat said Wilma is projected to leave the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) still as a tropical depression. “Pero dili nato i-rollout nga mahimong LPA,” he added.

In its 11 a.m. Tropical Cyclone Bulletin No. 14, Pagasa reported that Tropical Depression Wilma was located off the coastal waters of Sulat, Eastern Samar with maximum sustained winds of 45 km/h and gustiness of up to 55 km/h.

Wilma continues to move slowly westward as it approaches the Eastern Samar–Northern Samar area.

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1 remains in effect over several provinces in Luzon and Visayas, including the northern and central portions of Cebu, Mandaue City, Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu City, Talisay, Toledo, Naga, and surrounding islands.

Areas under Signal No. 1 may experience minimal to minor wind impacts, although localized winds may be stronger in upland and coastal zones.

Gale warnings remain raised over the eastern seaboards of Luzon and Visayas, with waves reaching up to 5.5 meters in some areas. PAGASA strongly advises all vessels to remain in port or seek safe harbor until conditions improve.

Moderate to rough seas are also expected across several western and southern seaboards, posing risks for small crafts and motorbancas.

Despite improving conditions in Cebu, Pagasa reminds the public that heavy rainfall and strong winds may still occur in areas outside Wilma’s projected landfall zone.

Disaster risk reduction offices are urged to remain on standby, while residents in flood-prone and landslide-prone communities are advised to follow the guidance of local authorities.

For localized weather updates, Pagasa encourages monitoring advisories issued by regional service divisions.(TGP)