It is only January, and the Pacific has already decided to wake up. Most people think of hurricane or typhoon season as a summer problem, something to worry about when the humidity hits peak levels in August. But nature doesn't always follow the calendar. On January 15, 2026, Tropical Storm Nokaen officially became the first named storm of the year in the Western Pacific.
If you are living in the Philippines, you might know it by a different name: Ada.
Names can be confusing like that. The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) gives it the international tag, while PAGASA—the local weather bureau in the Philippines—uses its own list for systems that enter its area of responsibility. Regardless of what you call it, Nokaen is a significant weather event. It is the first time we've seen a named storm develop this early in the year since Tropical Storm Pabuk back in 2019. It basically serves as a wake-up call that the 2026 Pacific typhoon season is officially underway.
The Birth of Nokaen (Ada) in the Philippine Sea
The story started as a messy cluster of thunderstorms south of Palau around January 13. At first, it didn't look like much—just a disorganized low-pressure area (LPA). But the waters in that part of the world are warm, even in the "winter" months. By January 14, the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) and the JMA both started keeping a very close eye on it.
It was designated as 01W shortly before PAGASA gave it the local name Ada. Why Ada? Well, it's actually the Filipino word for "fairy." It replaced the name Agaton, which was retired after the 2022 season. Soon after, the JMA upgraded it to a full tropical storm and dubbed it Nokaen.
Nokaen itself is a replacement name for Phanfone, which was retired after its destructive path in 2019.
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The storm didn't turn into a monster typhoon, honestly. It stayed relatively compact with peak 10-minute sustained winds of about 75 km/h (45 mph). That's enough to make for a very bad day on a boat, but not the kind of wind that levels modern skyscrapers. The real danger with these early-season tropical storms isn't usually the wind; it’s the sheer volume of water they dump.
Impact and Landslides in the Philippines
Nokaen moved across the coastal waters of Catanduanes and toward the Bicol Region. This area is notorious for its vulnerability to landslides. Sadly, even though it wasn't a "Super Typhoon," the rain was heavy enough to cause a landslide in Matnog, Sorsogon, which claimed two lives.
According to reports from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), over 10,000 people were affected across the Caraga and Bicol regions. This is the nuance of tropical weather that many people miss—intensity on the Saffir-Simpson scale doesn't always correlate with the level of tragedy. A "weak" tropical storm can be more lethal than a Category 3 hurricane if it moves slowly and drops a foot of rain on saturated soil.
Why 2026 Is Starting So Early
You've probably heard people talking about La Niña. It is currently active, and its presence in January 2026 is a big reason why we are seeing this activity. La Niña typically brings wetter-than-average conditions to Southeast Asia and the Maritime Continent. It basically stacks the deck in favor of tropical development by reducing wind shear and keeping sea surface temperatures high.
It's also worth noting the global context. While Nokaen is grabbing headlines in the Pacific, the Southern Hemisphere is in the thick of its own season. We've already seen Cyclone Dudzai in the South-West Indian Ocean, which was a much more powerful system, and Tropical Cyclone Koji near Queensland, Australia.
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Understanding the Name Nokaen
If you’re wondering where the name came from, it was provided by Laos. It literally means "bird." The international naming system for the Western Pacific is a rotating list of 140 names submitted by 14 countries and territories in the region.
Unlike the Atlantic, where names are strictly alphabetical and gendered, the Pacific list is a mix of animals, flowers, astrological figures, and even food. If a storm is particularly deadly or costly, its name is retired and a new one is chosen. Nokaen is making its debut this year, filling the slot left behind by Phanfone.
Current Status and Movement
As of January 18, 2026, Nokaen has begun to lose some of its tropical characteristics. It is currently moving north-northeast, away from the Philippine landmass, and is being buffeted by cooler air and higher wind shear. The JTWC has downgraded its outlook as it moves into the open sea.
Basically, the immediate threat to life and property has passed, but the storm's remnants will still cause choppy seas and lingering rain for parts of Luzon and the surrounding islands.
What to Watch for Next
The formation of Nokaen doesn't necessarily mean 2026 will be a "record-breaking" year, but it is a data point meteorologists are watching closely. Experts at the ASMC and PAGASA are predicting that we could see up to three more tropical cyclones before the end of March.
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If you are in a coastal or mountainous region in Southeast Asia, here is what you should be doing right now:
- Check your drainage: Most urban flooding during these early storms is caused by clogged gutters and storm drains. Clean them out now while it's dry.
- Update your emergency kit: Make sure your batteries haven't leaked and your water supply is fresh.
- Monitor local agencies: Don't just rely on global weather apps. Local agencies like PAGASA or the JMA provide much more specific, high-resolution data for your specific town.
- Respect the "Low Pressure" label: An LPA can be just as dangerous as a named storm if it stalls over your area.
Nokaen was a reminder that the ocean doesn't care about our "official" season start dates. It was a relatively "small" storm that still caused significant displacement and heartbreak. Stay informed and don't let the "Tropical Storm" label fool you—water is often more dangerous than wind.
Keep a close eye on the Philippine Sea over the next few weeks. With La Niña in full swing, Nokaen might just be the first of many.
Next Steps for Safety:
You should check your local flood maps to see if your current residence is in a high-risk zone for landslides or flash floods. If you are in the Philippines, you can use the Project NOAH website or the PAGASA mobile app to get real-time rain gauge data. Preparing now before the next system forms in the West Philippine Sea is the most effective way to stay safe.