So, the short answer is: No, there isn't a full-blown "typhoon" yet, but things are getting pretty messy out there. As of Thursday, January 15, 2026, the first tropical cyclone of the year has officially arrived. It's named Ada (internationally known as Nokaen), and it just stepped up its game from a tropical depression to a Tropical Storm.
Honestly, calling it a typhoon is technically wrong for now, but for anyone living in the path of those 80 kph gusts, the label doesn't matter much. It feels plenty real. PAGASA, our state weather bureau, confirmed that Ada hit tropical storm strength this afternoon, and it’s currently hovering about 395 to 400 kilometers east of Surigao City.
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Where is Tropical Storm Ada heading?
Right now, the storm is chugging along northwest at about 15 kph. If you're looking at a map, it’s basically aiming for the eastern side of the country. Forecasters expect it to pass really close to—or even make landfall in—Eastern Samar or Northern Samar by Friday night or early Saturday morning.
After that, it's eyeing the Bicol Region. Catanduanes might be in for a rough Sunday morning.
Who should be worried?
PAGASA has already hoisted Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 in a bunch of places. If you're in these areas, you're looking at winds between 39 to 61 kph. It’s not "house-moving" wind, but it’s enough to knock down some branches and make sea travel a nightmare.
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- Mindanao: Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, and Surigao del Sur.
- Visayas: All three Samar provinces, plus parts of Biliran, Leyte, and Southern Leyte.
- Luzon: Sorsogon, Catanduanes, and the southeastern parts of Albay (like Legazpi City and Rapu-Rapu).
The Coast Guard has already hit the "stop" button on sea travel in the Caraga Region. Over a thousand passengers are currently stranded in Eastern Visayas because the waves are just too dangerous for small boats.
More than just wind
While the wind is the headline, the rain is the real threat here. Because of how Ada is interacting with the Northeast Monsoon (Amihan), we’re seeing "moderate to heavy" rains across the eastern seaboard.
If you live near Mayon Volcano, pay attention. The experts are warning about possible lahar flows. With the volcano being a bit restive lately, heavy rain can turn that volcanic ash into a dangerous mudflow.
What to do next
Don't wait for the rain to get heavy before checking your supplies.
- Check your roof and windows. Even Signal No. 1 can find loose GI sheets and turn them into flying hazards.
- Charge everything. Power interruptions are common in the Bicol and Samar regions during even minor storms.
- Monitor the "2 p.m." and "11 p.m." bulletins. PAGASA updates the track frequently. If Ada shifts a little more to the west, it could make a direct hit on land instead of just "passing close."
- Stay off the water. If the Coast Guard says stay in port, stay in port. The eastern seaboard is seeing waves up to 4 meters high today.
Basically, Ada is a reminder that the 2026 storm season is officially open. It's not a monster super-typhoon, but it's wet, windy, and moving right toward us.