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MANILA, Philippines — Francisco (international name: Mekkhala) has strengthened into a super typhoon east of Northern Luzon, but it is forecast to remain far from the Philippine landmass before recurving toward southern Japan, state weather bureau PAGASA said Tuesday, June 23.
In its 5 a.m. bulletin, PAGASA said Super Typhoon Francisco was last located 410 kilometers east of Aparri, Cagayan as of 4 a.m.
The super typhoon was packing maximum sustained winds of 185 kilometers per hour near the center and gusts of up to 230 kph. It had a central pressure of 940 hectopascals.
Francisco was moving west-northwest at 10 kph, slower than in previous bulletins, with strong to typhoon-force winds extending up to 360 kilometers from its center.
PAGASA said Francisco is forecast to gradually slow down while moving generally north-northwest until Wednesday morning, June 24, before recurving toward the Ryukyu Islands in southern Japan.
On the forecast track, Francisco is expected to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility by Friday morning, June 26.
Areas under Signal No. 1
Signal No. 1 remains hoisted over Batanes, the northeastern portion of Cagayan, specifically Gonzaga and Santa Ana, and the eastern portion of the Babuyan Islands, including Babuyan, Didicas and Camiguin islands.
These areas may experience strong winds of 39 to 61 kph within 36 hours, with minimal to minor threat to life and property.
PAGASA said Signal No. 2 may be raised over parts of the Babuyan Islands and Batanes if Francisco's forecast track shifts significantly westward. However, the weather bureau said this scenario is becoming less likely as the super typhoon is now moving on a more northwestward track.
Rain from Francisco, habagat
PAGASA said heavy rain is expected in parts of Northern Luzon due to Francisco and in western sections of the country due to the southwest monsoon, locally known as habagat.
Under Weather Advisory No. 5 issued Tuesday morning, Batanes and Cagayan may receive 50 to 100 millimeters of rain on Tuesday due to Francisco.
Batanes may also receive 50 to 100 mm of rain on Wednesday and Thursday.
Due to the southwest monsoon, Palawan, Occidental Mindoro and Antique may experience 50 to 100 mm of rain on Tuesday.
Palawan and Occidental Mindoro may also receive 50 to 100 mm of monsoon rain on Wednesday and Thursday.
PAGASA warned that rainfall may be higher in mountainous and elevated areas, while impacts may be worsened in areas that have already received significant rainfall.
The weather bureau said people in areas highly or very highly susceptible to hazards should follow evacuation and other instructions from local officials.
Monsoon gusts, rough seas
The southwest monsoon and the periphery of Francisco are also expected to bring strong to gale-force gusts to several areas, especially coastal and upland communities exposed to winds.
On Tuesday, these gusts may affect most of Luzon, the Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Surigao del Norte, Dinagat Islands, Davao Occidental and Davao Oriental.
By Wednesday, strong to gale-force gusts may affect most of Luzon, the Visayas, Misamis Occidental, Lanao del Norte, Camiguin, Dinagat Islands, Davao Occidental and Davao Oriental.
By Thursday, June 25, these conditions may affect most of Luzon, Panay Island, Negros Occidental and Northern Samar.
PAGASA said a more westward shift in Francisco's track may prompt the raising of a gale warning, especially over the eastern seaboards of Batanes and the Babuyan Islands.
Forecast track of Super Typhoon Francisco as of 5 a.m, June 23, 2026.
PAGASA
Rough seas of up to 4 meters may affect the eastern seaboards of Batanes and the Babuyan Islands, while waves may reach up to 3.5 meters along the northeastern seaboard of mainland Cagayan.
Rough seas of up to 3 meters may also affect the remaining seaboards of Batanes and Cagayan, as well as the eastern seaboards of Isabela and northern Aurora.
PAGASA advised mariners of small seacraft, including all types of motorbancas, not to venture out to sea under these conditions, especially if inexperienced or operating ill-equipped vessels.
Moderate seas are also expected in several other northern and eastern seaboards, where mariners of motorbancas and similarly sized vessels were advised to take precautions and, if possible, avoid sailing.
Other weather systems
PAGASA also said a tropical depression, formerly Low Pressure Area 06c, is being monitored within the Philippine monitoring domain.
In its public weather forecast, PAGASA said the southwest monsoon is affecting the Visayas, Mindanao and Palawan, which may experience cloudy skies with scattered rains and thunderstorms.
Flash floods or landslides are possible in these areas due to moderate to at times heavy rain.
Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon may experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms due to localized thunderstorms, with possible flash floods or landslides during severe thunderstorms.
