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Typhoon Francisco Strengthens East of Central Luzon, Enhances Southwest Monsoon
The storm reached typhoon strength Sunday afternoon with 120 km/h winds. It is expected to remain over the Philippine Sea but will increase rainfall across Luzon and the Visayas starting Monday.
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Typhoon Francisco strengthened from a severe tropical storm at 2 pm Sunday, reaching maximum sustained winds of 120 km/h and gusts of 150 km/h. At 4 pm the center was located 1,055 kilometers east of Central Luzon and was moving west-northwest at 25 km/h. The storm is the sixth tropical cyclone to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility in 2026 and the second in June.
It is also known as Mekkhala and could exit the area by Friday, June 26. Signal No. 1 may be raised Monday morning for portions of Cagayan, the Babuyan Islands, and Batanes. Strong to gale-force gusts are forecast through Tuesday across most of Luzon, the Visayas, and parts of Mindanao.
5 meters are expected along the eastern seaboards of Isabela and Davao Oriental within the next 24 hours, with 2-meter waves forecast along several other eastern and northern seaboards. Small vessels were advised to take precautions or avoid sailing.
A separate low-pressure area located 3,020 kilometers east of southeastern Luzon has a low chance of developing into a tropical depression within 24 hours.
Scattered rain and thunderstorms continued Sunday evening over Bicol due to the typhoon's trough. The southwest monsoon produced rain and thunderstorms across Mindanao, the Visayas, and Palawan on Sunday evening. Heavy rain is possible over parts of Luzon and the Visayas beginning Monday due to the enhanced southwest monsoon.
