Tropical Storm Nokaen Peaks at 94 km/h Before Dissipating Over Pacific
Tropical Storm Nokaen developed over the western Pacific on January 13, 2026, as the first named cyclone of the season. The system reached peak intensity on January 17 near 14.2°N, 124.5°E with maximum sustained winds of 94 km/h and a minimum central pressure of 994 hPa. Nokaen tracked across waters east of the Philippines before weakening to a tropical depression on January 19. The storm dissipated over the open Pacific on January 22 at 11.2°N, 134.6°E, nine days after formation.
Nokaen Forms East of Philippines on January 13
Nokaen originated from a tropical depression over the western Pacific near 7.7°N, 132.7°E on January 13, 2026. The system developed east of the Philippines and gradually strengthened as its circulation became better organized. The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) monitored the cyclone within the western North Pacific basin, while the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) assigned the international designation WP012026, also known as 01W.
The developing cyclone moved west-northwestward through the Philippine Sea during January 14 and January 15. Wind speeds increased as convection strengthened around the circulation center, with the system reaching tropical storm intensity on January 16. Nokaen remained offshore from the eastern Philippines, but its rainfall bands affected parts of the country during its passage.
PAGASA monitored the storm under the local name Tropical Storm Ada (Bagyong Ada). As Nokaen passed east of the Philippines, PAGASA raised Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 2 for Catanduanes, Albay, Sorsogon, and eastern Northern Samar, while TCWS No. 1 was raised for Quezon including the Polillo Islands, Marinduque, and Masbate. The warnings covered areas exposed to strong winds and heavy rainfall from the cyclone.
The storm brought periods of heavy rain to parts of the Philippines, triggering flooding and landslides in affected areas. Reports from disaster authorities recorded at least two deaths linked to the impacts of Nokaen, with emergency agencies responding to weather-related incidents during the storm’s passage.
By January 15, the system had reached tropical depression strength with winds near 53 km/h and a central pressure of 998 hPa. Continued organization allowed Nokaen to become a tropical storm on January 16, marking its transition into a named cyclone.
Nokaen Reaches Maximum Intensity on January 17 East of the Philippines
Nokaen reached its strongest phase on January 17, 2026, while located east of the Philippines. The storm’s maximum sustained wind speed was recorded at 94 km/h, with a minimum central pressure of 994 hPa in the storm dataset used for this report. The cyclone remained a tropical storm during its peak period.
Tropical cyclone intensity classifications differ between agencies. JMA uses 10-minute average wind speeds for its official western North Pacific classifications, while JTWC uses 1-minute average wind speeds. These different averaging methods can produce slightly different intensity values for the same system. Nokaen was classified as a tropical storm by both agencies during its strongest stage.
China’s Central Meteorological Administration (CMA) upgraded Nokaen to a severe tropical storm on the morning of January 17 before downgrading it to a tropical storm in the early hours of January 18. The classification reflected the cyclone’s strongest phase while it remained over the Philippine Sea.
The storm’s maximum winds affected surrounding waters rather than producing a direct landfall in the Philippines. Coastal areas in eastern Philippines experienced heavy rainfall and rough seas associated with the cyclone’s circulation, while maritime activities were affected by deteriorating conditions.
After reaching peak strength, Nokaen maintained tropical storm status on January 18 while moving across the western Pacific. Wind speeds gradually decreased, and the central pressure increased to around 998 hPa as the cyclone weakened.
The cyclone remained below typhoon intensity throughout its life cycle.
Nokaen Weakens to Tropical Depression by January 19
Nokaen weakened from tropical storm intensity as it continued moving through the western Pacific after January 18. The circulation became less organized, and wind speeds declined as the storm moved away from its strongest phase.
On January 19, Nokaen weakened into a tropical depression near 16.7°N, 126.8°E. The system stayed over open ocean, avoiding direct impacts on the coastlines of China, Vietnam, and Japan.
The cyclone briefly regained tropical storm classification on January 20 in operational analyses, with winds around 74 km/h near 17.5°N, 129.1°E. The redevelopment was short-lived, and the system weakened again later that day as it continued across the Pacific.
PAGASA continued issuing updates on Tropical Storm Ada (Bagyong Ada) during the cyclone’s movement away from the Philippines. The agency recorded the storm’s progression after the TCWS warnings were lifted as conditions improved across affected provinces.
Nokaen’s final stage occurred over open waters, with the system losing organized tropical characteristics before dissipation.
Nokaen Dissipates Over Open Pacific on January 22
Nokaen dissipated on January 22, 2026, over the western Pacific near 11.2°N, 134.6°E. The cyclone completed a nine-day life cycle that began with tropical depression formation on January 13 and included a period of tropical storm intensity from January 16 through January 20.
The storm’s recorded path remained mainly over ocean waters east of the Philippines. Nokaen did not make landfall in China, Japan, Vietnam, or the Philippines, although its rainfall and wind impacts affected parts of the eastern Philippines during its passage.
The cyclone’s final analyzed positions showed a weakening system over the open Pacific after its tropical storm phase. Its maximum recorded intensity remained 94 km/h winds on January 17, with the system dissipating five days later after losing its tropical structure.
Nokaen was recorded as Tropical Storm Nokaen in the western Pacific, Tropical Storm Ada (Bagyong Ada) by PAGASA, and WP012026 (01W) by JTWC. The storm’s track extended from its formation point near 7.7°N, 132.7°E on January 13 to its dissipation point near 11.2°N, 134.6°E on January 22.