So, you're looking at the horizon and wondering: is there any tropical storms right now? It’s a fair question, especially with how unpredictable the weather has felt lately. While much of the Northern Hemisphere is currently shivering through winter, the tropics are a completely different story.
Right now, as of January 17, 2026, the answer is a definitive yes. But they aren't where you might expect if you’re used to the usual summer hurricane news cycles.
We currently have active systems churning in the Western Pacific and the South Indian Ocean. Specifically, Tropical Storm Nokaen (which locals in the Philippines call Ada) and the powerful Tropical Cyclone Dudzai are the big names on the map today. If you've been following the news, you know that January is usually a "quiet" month for some parts of the world, but for others, it's peak season.
Where the Action Is: The Western Pacific and Indian Ocean
If you’re sitting in Florida or the UK, you might think the ocean is calm. It isn't. The Atlantic is dead quiet—hurricane season there doesn't kick off until June—but the Southern Hemisphere and the Western Pacific don't follow that schedule.
Tropical Storm Nokaen is currently the one to watch in the Western Pacific. It’s sitting near the Philippines, specifically around coordinates 14.3N 125E. With sustained winds of about 50 mph, it’s not a monster, but it's been a troublemaker. It actually made history as the first tropical cyclone to form in January in this basin since back in 2019. Honestly, it’s a bit of a rare bird for this time of year, but it’s already caused some significant rain and unfortunately, a couple of reported fatalities in the Philippines.
Then there’s Tropical Cyclone Dudzai.
Dudzai is a beast. Located in the South-West Indian Ocean, this storm has been playing a game of "will it, won't it" with intensity. Earlier this week, it peaked at Category 4 equivalent strength, screaming across the open water with winds hitting 130 mph. Right now, it’s centered roughly 653 nautical miles south-southwest of Diego Garcia. It’s weakening slightly because it’s hitting cooler water and some nasty wind shear, but it’s still a "major" system in the eyes of meteorologists.
Why You Don't See Storms in the Atlantic Right Now
People often ask about the Atlantic this time of year because that's where the most famous hurricanes live. But if you check the National Hurricane Center (NHC) today, you’ll see a whole lot of nothing.
- The Atlantic season is dormant (June 1 – Nov 30).
- The Eastern Pacific is also on break (May 15 – Nov 30).
- Sea surface temperatures in these areas are currently way too cold to support a tropical engine.
Tropical storms need warm water—basically 80°F (about 26.5°C) or higher—to survive. In the North Atlantic right now, the water is more likely to give you hypothermia than it is to fuel a cyclone.
What about Australia?
Australia just got hammered by Tropical Cyclone Koji. While Koji has technically "died" and been downgraded to a tropical low, its ghost is still haunting Queensland. The remnants moved inland near Ayr and Bowen, dumping a massive amount of rain—we’re talking 300mm to 600mm in some spots. Even when a storm is no longer "active" on the tracker, the water it carries doesn't just disappear.
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Is there any tropical storms right now that could impact travel?
If you have a flight to Manila or are planning a cruise in the Indian Ocean, the answer is: check your carrier immediately. Nokaen is moving northeast, away from the main Philippine islands, which is a relief. However, the seas in that region remain extremely choppy.
In the Southern Hemisphere, Invest 94P is a system we are watching near Vanuatu. It hasn't quite earned a name yet, but "invest" is just meteorology-speak for "we’re keeping a very close eye on this because it’s trying to organize." If you're in the South Pacific, this is the one that could spoil a beach weekend.
Real-Time Data Sources
To stay updated on whether there are any tropical storms right now, you shouldn't just rely on social media. People tend to hype up "spaghetti models" that might not be accurate. Instead, look at:
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- The Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC): Great for the Pacific and Indian Oceans.
- Meteo France (La Réunion): The gold standard for the South-West Indian Ocean.
- Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) Australia: For anything happening near the Outback or the Great Barrier Reef.
The Big Picture for 2026
So far this year, we’ve already seen seven tropical systems globally. That's a busy start. Between Jenna, Koji, Nokaen, and Dudzai, 2026 is proving that the "off-season" is becoming a bit of a myth in some parts of the world.
Climate patterns like the transition out of La Niña or into El Niño often dictate how these January storms behave. Right now, the warm pockets in the Indian Ocean are providing a perfect "fuel station" for storms like Dudzai.
Basically, while the US and Europe are dealing with snow and frost, the global "heat engine" of the tropics is still very much running. It’s just shifted its focus to the Southern Hemisphere and the deep Western Pacific.
What You Should Do Next
If you live in an area currently under a watch or warning—specifically in the Philippines or the islands of the South Indian Ocean—don't wait for the wind to pick up to start preparing.
- Download a reliable radar app like Windy or RadarScope; they show real-time wind speeds rather than just static maps.
- Bookmark the JTWC website if you are in the Pacific; they provide the most technical and accurate track forecasts for that region.
- Secure outdoor items even if you’re only expecting "remnants." As we saw with Koji in Queensland, the rain and gusty winds after a storm "dies" can often cause more property damage than the actual cyclone.
- Check for Small Craft Advisories if you are in Puerto Rico or the Virgin Islands. Even though there isn't a named storm there, large northerly swells are making the water dangerous today.
Stay safe and keep your eyes on the barometric pressure. The tropics never truly sleep; they just move houses.