FACT CHECK: Wilma is a tropical depression, not super typhoon

Claim: Tropical cyclone Wilma has intensified into a super typhoon.

Rating: FALSE

Why we fact-checked this: The claim was made in a video by TNC Nationwide, whose Facebook page has a following of 321,000. The video has garnered 6,500 views with around 144 reactions and 42 shares as of writing.

The video claims that Wilma, the Philippines’ 23rd tropical cyclone for 2025, is now a super typhoon. It also claims that Signal No. 5 has been raised in at least 10 areas in the country. 

It also claims to have a list of affected areas and class suspensions, including tropical cyclone wind signals for each area affected, through the link in its Facebook post and comments section.

Other Facebook pages have echoed the contents of the post.

The facts: Wilma developed from a low pressure area inside the Philippine Area of Responsibility at 8 am on December 4, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

PAGASA’s bulletin issued at 11 am on the same day shows Wilma likely remaining a tropical depression. There is no mention of Wilma possibly intensifying into a super typhoon.

Since Wilma is expected to remain a tropical depression, only Signal No. 1 will likely be raised during the forecast period. Signal No. 1 is the lowest tropical cyclone wind signal and refers to winds ranging from 39 to 61 kilometers per hour (km/h).

Signal No. 5 is only possible when tropical cyclones reach super typhoon category. It is the highest tropical cyclone wind signal and refers to winds that reach at least 185 km/h.

Fake links: The supposed links to the list of areas under wind signals and class suspensions are also fake, putting people at risk of phishing. Results from a URL scanner, urlscan.io, show that the links lead to a blogging site and to a shopping website. (READ: Phishing 101: How to spot and avoid phishing)

AI-generated video: A Gemini watermark can be seen at the bottom right of the video. AI-generated video detector HiveModeration also found that the video is AI-generated or deepfake content, indicating that it is 97% made with Veo, a Google AI video generating tool. 

Debunked: Rappler has already debunked similar false claims about super typhoons affecting the Philippines:

• FACT CHECK: No super typhoon in PAR, as of August 26
• FACT CHECK: No super typhoon in PH until July 18 
• FACT CHECK: No Super Typhoon Egay has entered PH Area of Responsibility
• FACT CHECK: No new super typhoon to make ‘sure landfall’ in PH up until this week

– Lourence Angelo Marcellana/Rappler.com

Lourence Angelo Marcellana is a Rappler intern. He is a fourth year journalism student from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines and the former editor-in-chief of the PUP College of Communication’s The Communicator.

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