If you thought this year’s storm season was busy, PAGASA has news for you: up to 7 more tropical cyclones could still form within or enter the Philippine area of responsibility before 2026 is over.
How many more storms are coming?
The 5 to 7 more tropical cyclones in the remaining months of 2026, it said in a climate forum. Here is the monthly breakdown:
| Month | Expected tropical cyclones |
|---|---|
| September | 2 or 3 |
| October | 1 or 2 |
| November | 1 or 2 |
| December | 1 or 2 |
| January | 1 more possible |
| February | Slim chance |
PAGASA said one more storm is also possible in January, while February carries only a slim chance. tropical cyclones tend to make landfall during the last quarter of the year because a strong high pressure area over the Northern Pacific blocks them from moving northwestward.
The remaining storm names
If you keep a mental list of typhoon names, here are the rest of PAGASA’s 2026 lineup that could still be used: Pilandok, Queenie, Rosal, Samuel, Tomas, Umberto, Venus, Yayang, and Zeny.
PAGASA has already tracked several systems this year, and the monsoon rains have triggered class suspensions across Luzon in recent weeks.
Why El Niño changes the picture
A moderate to strong El Niño is present in the tropical Pacific and could reach a very strong, or Super El Niño, category before the end of 2026. That can alter normal storm behavior: some systems may recurve before entering the PAR, while those that do reach the country could become more intense after traveling over warm waters for longer.
The same El Niño shapes the rainfall picture. below-normal precipitation over most of northern Luzon, with wider rainfall deficits spreading across much of the country through November and beyond.
What this means for you
The takeaway is preparation, not panic. The Angat Dam is recovering from its record low thanks to the Habagat rains, but a drier than usual back half of the year is still possible in many regions. Keep an eye on PAGASA advisories as each system develops, and plan around possible rainfall reductions, especially in western Luzon and Palawan.
