Tropical Depression Wilma Forms, Signal No. 1 Raised in Philippines

MANILA, Philippines—A newly formed tropical depression named Wilma prompted the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration to raise Signal No. 1 over 12 areas across Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao on Thursday, December 4, as the system approached from the east, threatening heavy rains and potential landfall in the coming days.

Wilma developed from a low-pressure area inside the Philippine area of responsibility at 8 a.m. that day, marking the country's 23rd tropical cyclone of 2025 and the first in December. As of 10 a.m., the depression was located approximately 625 kilometers east of Catarman in Northern Samar, moving west-southwestward at 20 kilometers per hour with maximum sustained winds of 45 kilometers per hour and gusts up to 55 kilometers per hour. PAGASA officials reported the system packing moderate strength but expected it to slightly intensify before its initial impact.

The areas under Signal No. 1, indicating winds of 30 to 60 kilometers per hour within the next 36 hours, include Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Samar, Biliran, Leyte, Southern Leyte, the northern portion of Cebu including Bantayan and Camotes islands, the eastern and...