A low pressure area within the Philippine Area of Responsibility has developed into Tropical Depression Ada at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, marking the country's first tropical cyclone of the year. PAGASA reports it is located 635 kilometers east of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur, and is expected to intensify into a tropical storm within 24 hours.
On January 14, 2026, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) reported that a low pressure area (LPA) within the Philippine Area of Responsibility developed into Tropical Depression Ada at 8 a.m. This marks the Philippines' first tropical cyclone of 2026, the first such event in January since 2019's Tropical Depression Amang.
As of 10 a.m., Ada was located 635 kilometers east of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur, moving northwest at 35 kilometers per hour over the Philippine Sea. It has maximum sustained winds of 45 km/h with gusts up to 55 km/h. PAGASA expects it to strengthen into a tropical storm within 24 hours and potentially pass close to or make landfall in Eastern Visayas as a tropical storm on Friday, January 16, or early Saturday, January 17, then in Catanduanes on Saturday or Sunday, January 18, before recurving northeast over the sea east of Luzon.
PAGASA issued an initial rainfall outlook warning of significant rain in Caraga, Eastern Visayas, and Bicol over the coming days, raising risks of floods and landslides. For instance, from Wednesday noon to Thursday noon: moderate to heavy rain (50-100 mm) in Eastern Samar, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, and Surigao del Sur. From Thursday noon to Friday noon: heavy to intense rain (100-200 mm) in Northern Samar and Eastern Samar.
Provinces including Northern Samar, Samar, Eastern Samar, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, and Surigao del Sur are under Signal No. 1, providing 36 hours to prepare for strong winds. The highest signal possible is No. 2. Additionally, the northeast monsoon or amihan and the depression's periphery may bring strong to gale-force gusts to areas like Batanes, Ilocos Norte, and others.
Seas could be rough in certain seaboards, advising small vessels to avoid venturing out. PAGASA forecasts two to eight tropical cyclones forming or entering the PAR in the first half of 2026.
