As the Philippines prepares to turn the calendar page, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has officially released the list of tropical cyclone names for 2026.
Due to its geographical position on the edge of the Pacific Ocean, the Philippines remains one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world, facing an average of 20 typhoons per year. Having a predetermined naming system allows for clearer communication during emergencies.
The Official 2026 Typhoon List
If a tropical cyclone enters or forms within the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) in 2026, it will be assigned one of the following names in alphabetical order:
| Letter | Name | Letter | Name |
| A | Ada | N | Neneng |
| B | Basyang | O | Obet |
| C | Caloy | P | Pilandok |
| D | Domeng | Q | Queenie |
| E | Ester | R | Rosal |
| F | Francisco | S | Samuel |
| G | Gardo | T | Tomas |
| H | Henry | U | Umberto |
| I | Inday | V | Venus |
| J | Josie | W | Waldo |
| K | Kiyapo | Y | Yayang |
| L | Luis | Z | Zeny |
| M | Maymay |
What happens if we exceed 25 typhoons?
In the event of a particularly active season where more than 25 storms enter the PAR, PAGASA uses an Auxiliary List. For 2026, the backup names are:
- Agila, Bagwis, Chito, Diego, Elena, Felino, Gunding, Harriet, Indang, and Jessa.
Beyond the naming convention, PAGASA provided a crucial climate update regarding the prevailing La Niña phenomenon. Current models suggest that the current La Niña will be short-lived, with its effects expected to linger only until the first quarter of 2026.
While this may signal a decrease in excessive rainfall by mid-year, authorities still urge the public to begin early maintenance on drainage systems and emergency kits before the first storm of the new year makes landfall.