The Philippines is bracing for a week of severe disruption as the year's first tropical storm, named Ada, sweeps across the archipelago. The storm, also known as Nokaen, intensified on Friday and is forecast to bring extreme rainfall and powerful winds, heightening the danger of widespread flooding and destructive volcanic mudflows.
Storm Track and Immediate Threats
Tropical Storm Ada developed slowly on Friday before tracking northwards along the country's east coast over the weekend. Meteorologists warn it will deliver torrential downpours, with up to 200mm of rain expected in a single day. Gusts of wind near the storm's centre could reach speeds of up to 65mph.
The system is predicted to maintain tropical storm strength until Tuesday as it moves north-west. It is then expected to weaken into a tropical depression, but this could still bring further heavy rain and strong winds later in the week, exacerbated by the incoming north-east monsoon.
Multiple Hazards: From Storm Surges to Lahars
Authorities have issued a series of severe weather warnings. Coastal communities in low-lying areas are on alert for storm surges of up to 2.2 metres, accompanied by waves as high as 5 metres. The primary concern, however, is the significant flood risk persisting over the coming days.
This risk is compounded by the threat of landslides and lahars—fast-moving volcanic mudflows—around the iconic Mayon Volcano on Luzon island. The combination of saturated ground and volcanic debris creates a highly dangerous situation for nearby communities.
The severe conditions have already led to travel disruptions, school closures, and power outages in vulnerable regions as authorities work to mitigate the storm's impact.
Mediterranean and European Weather Extremes
Meanwhile, a separate deep low-pressure system, named Storm Harry by Spanish forecasters, is set to move through the Mediterranean. Heavy rainfall is forecast from Monday afternoon across Catalonia, Valencia, and southern Aragon, before affecting the Balearics, south-west France, Sardinia, Corsica, Sicily, and southern Italy.
Orange weather warnings are active for Monday, with up to 70mm of rain expected within 24 hours. A more severe red warning will be in place for Sicily and Calabria on Tuesday, where over 100mm of rain may fall. The system will also bring strong easterly winds, with gusts potentially hitting 60mph in Sicily, Calabria, and eastern Corsica.
Malta is forecast to experience rough seas with waves reaching a staggering 11 metres, threatening major damage to exposed eastern coastlines. This comes just days after the island was hit by damaging hailstorms, with hailstones several centimetres in diameter reported in areas like Rabat.
In stark contrast, Eastern Europe is gripped by a severe cold spell. Temperatures early this week are running 5-7C below seasonal averages, with parts of Poland, Ukraine, and the Baltics potentially plunging to between -15C and -18C later in the week—around 10C colder than normal.
