Wind signals lifted as Tropical Storm Ada continues to move away

MANILA, Philippines – There were no more areas under tropical cyclone wind signals as of 11 pm on Sunday, January 18, with Tropical Storm Ada (Nokaen) continuing to move away from landmass.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Ada was located 275 kilometers northeast of Virac, Catanduanes, as of 10 pm.

It is moving north at 15 kilometers per hour (km/h), but it is expected to follow a looping track over the sea east of Luzon starting Monday, January 19.

On Sunday afternoon, Ada’s maximum sustained winds had decreased from 75 km/h to 65 km/h, while its gustiness eased from 90 km/h to 80 km/h.

It is likely to weaken into a tropical depression by Monday and into a low pressure area by Wednesday, January 21, or even earlier, due to the surge of the northeast monsoon or amihan.

Ada did not make landfall in the Philippines, but it triggered moderate to torrential rain in Caraga, Eastern Visayas, and Bicol, causing floods and landslides. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council is verifying reports that two people died in Bicol.

Signal No. 2 was the highest tropical cyclone wind signal raised due to Ada. Although wind signals have been completely lifted, PAGASA said the periphery of the tropical storm and the northeast monsoon will still bring strong to gale-force gusts to these areas:

Monday, January 19

• Batanes, Cagayan, Isabela, Aurora, Polillo Islands, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes

Tuesday, January 20

• Batanes, Cagayan, Isabela, Ilocos Norte, Abra, Aurora, Quezon, Marinduque, Romblon, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Albay, Sorsogon, Northern Samar

Storm surge warnings were also lifted on Sunday evening.

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As Ada moves east of Luzon, however, moderate to rough seas will persist in portions of Luzon and Samar Island in the next 24 hours.

Up to rough seas (small vessels should not venture out to sea)

• Seaboard of Isabela; eastern seaboard of mainland Cagayan – waves up to 4 meters high
• Eastern seaboard of Babuyan Islands; seaboard of northern Aurora; northern and eastern seaboards of Polillo Islands; northern seaboards of Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte, and Catanduanes – waves up to 3.5 meters high
• Seaboards of Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur; western seaboard of Pangasinan; eastern seaboard of Catanduanes – waves up to 3 meters high

Up to moderate seas (small vessels should take precautionary measures or avoid sailing, if possible)

• Remaining seaboard of Aurora; seaboard of northern mainland Quezon; western seaboard of Polillo Islands; eastern seaboards of Albay and Sorsogon; northern and eastern seaboards of Northern Samar – waves up to 2.5 meters high
• Seaboard of Zambales; eastern seaboard of Eastern Samar; remaining seaboard of Ilocos Region – waves up to 2 meters high

Ada is the Philippines’ first tropical cyclone for 2026.

PAGASA expects two to eight tropical cyclones to form within or enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility in the first half of 2026. These are the estimates per month:

• January – 0 or 1
• February – 0 or 1
• March – 0 or 1
• April – 0 or 1
• May – 1 or 2
• June – 1 or 2

– Rappler.com