Overview of Tropical Cyclone in January 2026

One tropical cyclone occurred over the western North Pacific in January 2026.

Nokaen (2601) formed as a tropical depression over the western North Pacific about 650 km west-southwest of Yap on the morning of 14 January. It then moved generally northwestwards towards the eastern part of the Philippines and intensified gradually in the following two days. Nokaen intensified into a severe tropical storm over the coastal waters east of the Philippines on the morning of 17 January, attaining its peak intensity with an estimated maximum sustained wind of 90 km/h near its centre. It weakened into a tropical storm that night, and gradually turned to track generally eastwards in the following three days. Nokaen gradually turned to move generally southwards on 21 January, and finally degenerated into an area of low pressure over the seas west of Yap the following afternoon.

According to press reports, Nokaen brought torrential rain and squalls to the eastern part of the Philippines, with an accumulated rainfall of 413.9 millimetres recorded in some areas on 14 – 19 January. Nokaen caused at least two deaths and two injuries in the Philippines. Over 990 000 people were affected, and more than 130 houses were damaged.