The latest storm and low pressure information from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on January 24 stated that a new low pressure is about to appear that could strengthen into the first storm of 2025.
The forecast bulletin stated that during the week of January 24 to 30, no low pressure is likely to form within PAGASA’s PMD forecast area. However, during the week of January 31 to February 6, a new low pressure is likely to develop in the southern boundary of PAGASA’s PAR forecast area.
PAGASA forecasters said the first depression of 2025 near the Philippines is likely to move closer to the east of Mindanao and the Visayas. However, the new depression near the Philippines has a low chance of becoming a typhoon.
In early 2025, PAGASA announced a new list of storm names for the 2025 storm season. The list includes 25 storm names, including: Auring, Bising, Crising, Dante, Emong, Fabian, Gorio, Huaning, Isang, Jacinto, Kiko, Lannie, Mirasol, Nando, Opong, Paolo, Quedan, Ramil, Salome, Tino, Uwan, Verbena, Wilma, Yasmin, Zoraida.
In case the 2025 typhoon season has more than 25 storms, PAGASA also has some backup names including: Alamid, Bruno, Conching, Dolor, Ernie, Florante, Gerardo, Hernan, Isko, Jerome.
The Philippines is expected to be hit by at least 18 storms during the 2024 typhoon season, with the most recent system being depression Romina.
From October to November 2024 alone, at least six strong storms affected the Philippines, including typhoons Kristine (Trami), Leon (Kong-Rey), Marce (Yinxing), Nika (Toraji), Ofel (Usagi), and Pepito (Man Yi).
PAGASA assigns local names to tropical storms when they enter the PAR forecast area - the area designated by the World Meteorological Organization for the Philippine weather agency to monitor. This practice began in 1963.
