'Ulysses' changes course, spares RP

Typhoon “Ulysses” (international name: Dolphin) changed course yesterday and spared the country from possible havoc, the weather bureau said yesterday.

Prisco Nilo, Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) director, said Ulysses veered north towards Southern Japan yesterday from its earlier northwestward course.

Nilo said if the tail-end of the cold front in Northern Luzon had not pulled Ulysses away, the typhoon could have hit the Bicol Region.

However, the eastern section of Luzon and the Visayas should brace for rains brought by the prevailing northeast monsoon in the next days, he added.

The rest of the country, including Metro Manila, can expect good weather conditions until the weekend, Nilo said.

As of 2 p.m. yesterday, the eye of Ulysses was spotted some 820 kilometers east of Casiguran, Aurora with maximum sustained winds of 120 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 150 kph.

It is forecast to move north at seven kph.

No storm warning signal was raised in any part of the country as of 5 p.m. yesterday.

Ulysses is expected to be at 850 kms east-northeast of Casiguran or 900 kms east of Tuguegarao City this morning; at 1,020 kms east northeast of Tuguegarao tomorrow morning; and at 1,200 kms east northeast of the city by Friday morning.

After Ulysses, no typhoon is expected to develop over the country this week, Nilo said.

Ulysses is the 21st typhoon to enter the country this year and the first this month. – Helen Flores