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Typhoon Ulysses (Vamco) made its first landfall in Patnanungan, Quezon, at 10:30 pm on Wednesday, November 11.
Ulysses further intensified before hitting land for the first time, too, said the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) in a bulletin released past 11 pm on Wednesday.
The typhoon now has maximum sustained winds of 150 kilometers per hour (km/h) from the previous 140 km/h and gustiness of up to 205 km/h from the previous 195 km/h. (READ: FAST FACTS: Tropical cyclones, rainfall advisories)
Ulysses is moving west northwest at the same pace of 15 km/h.
PAGASA later announced on social media that the typhoon made its second landfall in Burdeos, also in Quezon, at 11:20 pm on Wednesday.
It was still expected to hit mainland northern Quezon, possibly the General Nakar-Infanta area, between 12 am and 3 am on Thursday, November 12. PAGASA said Ulysses is highly likely to hit mainland northern Quezon at peak intensity.
The state weather bureau warned that destructive winds and intense to torrential rain from Ulysses' eyewall and inner rainbands will be experienced in the following areas within the next 3 hours, or until around 2 am on Thursday:
"Heavy damage to infrastructure and vegetation is expected," PAGASA said.
After hitting Quezon, Ulysses will cross Central Luzon and emerge over the western seaboard of Zambales on Thursday morning.
PAGASA earlier said the typhoon may be closest to Metro Manila between 4 am and 6 am on Thursday. But late Wednesday evening, the capital region was already experiencing fierce winds and rain.
This is the latest list of areas under tropical cyclone wind signals as of 11 pm on Wednesday:
In the rest of Northern Luzon, there are strong breeze to gale-force winds due to the surge of the northeast monsoon or hanging amihan.
The state weather bureau also further expanded its rainfall forecast as of 11 pm on Wednesday.
Between Wednesday evening, November 11, and Thursday noon, November 12
Between Thursday noon and late evening, November 12
Floods, landslides, and lahar flows remain threats. Parts of Bicol were already hit by massive floods on Wednesday.
PAGASA said Ulysses could slightly weaken while crossing Central Luzon "due to frictional effects in the presence of the Sierra Madre and Zambales mountain ranges." But it is likely to remain a typhoon.
There remains a high risk of storm surges which "can cause life-threatening and damaging coastal inundation," according to the state weather bureau.
"Moreover, there is also a moderate risk of seiche or storm surge over the coastal areas surrounding Laguna de Bay," PAGASA said.
Within the next 24 hours, Ulysses and the surge of the northeast monsoon combined will make travel risky for all types of vessels in certain seaboards.
Meanwhile, waters are moderate to rough, with waves 1.5 to 2.5 meters high in the seaboards below. Small vessels must take precautionary measures.
Ulysses could exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) on Friday morning or afternoon, November 13.
Forecast track of Typhoon Ulysses (Vamco) as of November 11, 2020, 11 pm.
Image from PAGASA
Ulysses is the Philippines' 21st tropical cyclone for 2020 – already above the yearly average of 20. (READ: LIST: PAGASA's names for tropical cyclones in 2020)
For the next 6 months, these are PAGASA's estimates for tropical cyclones inside PAR:
Since October, La Niña has been underway, which means there is more rain than usual.
Then in November, the northeast monsoon began, signaling "surges of cold temperatures."
PAGASA warned that La Niña may enhance the northeast monsoon, which could trigger floods and landslides. – Rappler.com
Acor Arceo is a Central Desk editor for Rappler. Trained in both online and TV newsrooms, Acor supervises Rappler’s coverage of disasters, handles the business desk, and ensures consistency in editorial standards across all sections.