'Ada' intensifies into tropical storm; 13 areas under Signal No. 1
Tropical Storm Ada’s track and intensity forecast (Courtesy of PAGASA)
Tropical Depression Ada (international name: Nokaen) has strengthened into a tropical storm, prompting the issuance of Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 in more areas across Eastern Visayas, Bicol, and Northern Mindanao, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said on Thursday, Jan. 15.
As of 5 p.m., Ada has maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gusts of up to 80 kph.
PAGASA said the storm is expected to gradually intensify over the next 48 hours while over the Philippine Sea before weakening as it moves northeastward east of Catanduanes.
Areas placed under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 include eastern Camarines Sur (Caramoan, Presentacion, Garchitorena), Sorsogon, Albay (Rapu-Rapu, Manito, Legazpi City, Bacacay, Santo Domingo, Tabaco City, Malilipot, Malinao, Tiwi), Catanduanes, Northern Samar, Samar, Eastern Samar, eastern Biliran (Maripipi, Kawayan, Culaba, Caibiran, Cabucgayan), eastern 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, Javier, Abuyog, Mahaplag), eastern portion of Southern Leyte (Silago, Sogod, Libagon, Saint Bernard, Hinunangan, Hinundayan, Anahawan, San Juan, Liloan, San Ricardo, San Francisco, Pintuyan), Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, and Surigao del Sur.
PAGASA said minimal to minor impacts from strong winds are possible in areas under Signal No. 1, while the highest wind signal expected during Ada’s passage is Signal No. 2.
The storm’s center was estimated at 400 kilometers east of Surigao City, Surigao del Norte, moving northwestward at 15 kph.
PAGASA said Ada is forecast to move generally northwestward through Friday, Jan. 16, then north-northwestward to northward on Saturday, Jan. 17, before turning northeastward on Monday, Jan. 19.
On this track, Ada may pass close to Eastern Samar and Northern Samar by Saturday and Catanduanes by Sunday, Jan. 18.
A further westward shift could result in a possible landfall over parts of Eastern Visayas and Bicol Region, it said.
PAGASA added that the track may still change in subsequent bulletins, particularly for the Saturday–Sunday period.