A low pressure area east of Eastern Visayas intensified into Tropical Depression Wilma at 8 a.m. on December 4, 2025, marking the Philippines' 23rd tropical cyclone of the year and the first in December. The state weather bureau PAGASA expects it to bring moderate to intense rainfall across parts of Visayas and Mindanao, with potential landfall in Eastern Visayas or Dinagat Islands by Friday evening.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) announced the formation of Tropical Depression Wilma during a press conference after 11 a.m. on Thursday, December 4. As of 10 a.m., Wilma was located 625 kilometers east of Catarman, Northern Samar, moving west southwest at 20 kilometers per hour with maximum sustained winds of 45 km/h and gusts up to 55 km/h.
PAGASA forecasts Wilma to make landfall in Eastern Visayas or the Dinagat Islands between Friday evening, December 5, and Saturday morning, December 6. It is projected to traverse the Visayas until Monday, December 8, enter the Sulu Sea, and reach the northern portion of Palawan between Monday evening and Tuesday morning, December 9. The depression is expected to slightly intensify but remain at its current strength throughout the forecast period.
Despite its modest intensity, Wilma will trigger significant rainfall, raising risks of floods and landslides. From Thursday noon to Friday noon, heavy to intense rain (100-200 mm) is anticipated in Northern Samar and Eastern Samar, with moderate to heavy rain (50-100 mm) in Samar, Biliran, Leyte, Southern Leyte, Cebu, Bohol, Negros Oriental, Negros Occidental, Surigao del Norte, Dinagat Islands, Agusan del Norte, Misamis Oriental, and Camiguin.
Subsequent periods will see similar impacts expanding to areas like Romblon, Aklan, Capiz, Iloilo, Antique, Guimaras, Siquijor, and Misamis Occidental. At 11 a.m. on Thursday, PAGASA raised Signal No. 1 over Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Samar, Biliran, Leyte, Southern Leyte, Surigao del Norte (including Siargao and Bucas Grande Islands), and Dinagat Islands, indicating 36 hours of preparation time for strong winds.
Strong to gale-force gusts from the northeast monsoon (amihan) are also possible in much of Luzon, Visayas, and parts of Mindanao through Saturday. Rough to very rough seas affect various seaboards, with waves up to 5.5 meters in some areas, making travel risky.
Additionally, a shear line will bring heavy to intense rain (100-200 mm) to Catanduanes, Albay, Sorsogon, and Masbate in Southern Luzon, with moderate rain in Romblon, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Quezon, Marinduque, and Oriental Mindoro. PAGASA urges the public to monitor updates closely.