Signal No. 2 raised over 6 areas as Tropical Storm Ada maintains strength

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2 was raised over six areas in the country as Tropical Storm Ada (international name: Nokaen) maintained its strength while over the coastal waters of Catanduanes, PAGASA said Saturday.

In its 11 a.m. bulletin, PAGASA said TCWS No. 2, with winds of greater than 62 kph and up to 88 kph may be expected in at least 24 hours, was raised over the following areas:

Luzon

• the eastern portions of Camarines Norte (Vinzons, San Lorenzo Ruiz, San Vicente, Talisay, Basud, Mercedes, Daet, Paracale),
• the eastern and central portions of Camarines Sur (Siruma, Tinambac, Ocampo, Goa, Lagonoy, Milaor, Nabua, Buhi, Caramoan, Baao, Cabusao, Bato, Camaligan, Pili, Sipocot, Tigaon, Pamplona, Garchitorena, Iriga City, San Fernando, Magarao, Minalabac, Balatan, Libmanan, Naga City, Calabanga, Bombon, Bula, Canaman, Pasacao, Sagñay, San Jose, Presentacion, Gainza, Lupi),
• Catanduanes,
• Albay, and
• Sorsogon

Visayas

• Northern Samar

“Minor to moderate impacts from gale-force winds are possible within any of the areas under Wind Signal No. 2,” PAGASA said.

Meanwhile, TCWS No. 1, with winds of 39-61 kph may be expected in at least 36 hours or intermittent rains may be expected within 36 hours, was raised over the following areas:

Luzon

• the eastern portion of Quezon (Tagkawayan, Guinayangan, Lopez, Calauag, Buenavista, San Narciso, San Andres, San Francisco, Mulanay, Catanauan, General Luna, Macalelon, Gumaca, Pitogo, Unisan, Atimonan, Plaridel, Agdangan, Padre Burgos, Quezon, Alabat, Perez) including Polillo Islands,
• Marinduque,
• the eastern portion of Romblon (Cajidiocan, Magdiwang, San Fernando),
• the rest of Camarines Norte,
• the rest of Camarines Sur, and
• Masbate

Visayas

• Eastern Samar,
• Samar,
• Biliran,
• the northern portion of Leyte (Carigara, Barugo, San Miguel, Babatngon, Tacloban City, Tunga, Jaro, Alangalang, Santa Fe, Palo, Dagami, Pastrana, Tanauan, Tabontabon, Julita, Dulag, Tolosa, La Paz, Mayorga, Macarthur, Kananga, Capoocan, Leyte, Calubian, San Isidro, Tabango, Burauen, Ormoc City, Matag-Ob, Villaba, Albuera, Palompon, Merida, Isabel), and
• and the northern portion of Cebu (Medellin, Daanbantayan) including Bantayan Islands.

Under TCWS No. 1, minimal to minor impacts from strong winds are possible within any of the areas, the state bureau said.

“Since further intensification to severe tropical storm is not ruled out, raising of Wind Signal No. 3 is possible,” PAGASA added.

Location of eye/center

The center of Ada was estimated based on all available data over the coastal waters of Baras, Catanduanes (13.7 °N, 124.9 °E )

Moving northwestward at 25 kph, it has maximum sustained winds of 85 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 115 kph.

Meanwhile, the Northeast Monsoon (Amihan) and the periphery of Ada are also expected to bring strong to gale-force gusts over the following areas (especially in coastal and upland areas exposed to winds): Batanes, Babuyan Islands, Ilocos Norte, northern and eastern mainland Cagayan, Isabela, Quirino, Aurora, Quezon, Romblon, Oriental Mindoro, Aklan, Capiz, northern Cebu, Eastern Visayas, and Dinagat Islands

Track and intensity outlook

PAGASA said Ada will move generally northwestward on Saturday before slowly turning northward to northeastward on Sunday, January 18. From Sunday onward, Ada is forecast to move slowly in a looping pattern over the sea east of Southern Luzon.

“A further westward shift in the forecast track may result in a possible landfall over Catanduanes. Furthermore, changes in forecast track over the succeeding bulletins is possible,” PAGASA said.

The tropical cyclone is also forecast to remain as a tropical storm while moving over the sea east of Southern Luzon. However, further intensification to severe tropical storm is not ruled out.

Ada will then weaken into a tropical depression by Tuesday, January 20 in the afternoon or evening following the effects of the surge of the Northeast Monsoon.

Classes, preps

Classes for Saturday, January 17, 2026 have been suspended in some areas due to inclement weather from Tropical Storm Ada.

The Office of Civil Defense meanwhile said more precautions are needed in Albay due to the continuing unrest of Mayon Volcano and Ada. —KG, GMA Integrated News