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Philstar.com
January 15, 2026 | 6:34pm
MANILA, Philippines — Tropical Storm Ada (international name: Nokaen) strengthened Thursday afternoon, January 15, as it moved closer to the Philippines, prompting PAGASA to raise lowest-level wind signals over parts of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.
The state weather bureau said in a 5 p.m. bulletin that Ada was now packing maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour near the center and gusts of up to 80 km per hour as of 4 p.m. The storm was last located 400 kilometers east of Surigao City, Surigao del Norte.
Ada is moving northwestward at 15 km per hour and is forecast to pass close to Eastern Samar and Northern Samar by Saturday, January 17, and Catanduanes by Sunday, January 18.
PAGASA warned that a further westward shift in the track could result in a landfall over Eastern Visayas and Bicol Region.
The weather bureau placed 37 provinces and cities under Signal No. 1, warning of strong winds with speeds of 39 to 61 km per hour within 36 hours. Areas under this signal include Catanduanes, Sorsogon, portions of Camarines Sur and Albay in Bicol Region; Northern Samar, Samar, Eastern Samar and portions of Biliran, Leyte and Southern Leyte in the Visayas; and Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur in Mindanao.
PAGASA said the highest wind signal that may be raised during Ada's passage is Signal No. 2.
Additionally, the northeast monsoon and Ada's outer circulation will bring strong to gale-force gusts over Batanes, Babuyan Islands, Ilocos Norte, Aurora, CALABARZON, Mindoro provinces, Romblon, Marinduque, Cuyo Islands, Bicol Region, Visayas, Caraga Region and Davao Oriental through Thursday.
Rough seas threaten coastal areas
PAGASA warned of rough seas up to four meters high along the northern and eastern seaboards of Catanduanes, Northern Samar and Siargao-Bucas Grande Islands, and the eastern seaboards of Albay, Sorsogon, Eastern Samar, Dinagat Islands and Surigao del Sur. The weather bureau advised operators of small seacraft, including all types of motorbancas, not to venture out under these conditions.
Moderate seas of up to 2.5 meters are expected over the seaboards of Batanes, Babuyan Islands, Ilocos Norte, northern mainland Cagayan, eastern Camarines Sur and the remaining seaboard of Catanduanes.
Ada is forecast to gradually intensify over the next 48 hours while moving over the Philippine Sea before weakening as it turns northeastward east of Catanduanes.
PAGASA advised disaster risk reduction and management offices to take all necessary measures to protect life and property. Residents in areas highly susceptible to flooding and landslides were told to follow evacuation orders from local officials.
