PAGASA raises Signal No. 1 due to Typhoon Francisco
Published Jun 22, 2026 06:38 am
At A Glance
- In its 5 a.m. tropical cyclone bulletin, PAGASA placed Batanes, northeastern portion of Cagayan (Gonzaga and Santa Ana), and eastern portion of Babuyan Islands (Babuyan, Didicas, and Camiguin Islands) under Signal No. 1.
Satellite image of Typhoon Francisco (international name “Mekkhala”) (Courtesy of PAGASA)
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on Monday, June 22 raised Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 over parts of extreme Northern Luzon as Typhoon Francisco (international name “Mekkhala”) continued to intensify over the Philippine Sea.
In its 5 a.m. tropical cyclone bulletin, PAGASA placed Batanes, northeastern portion of Cagayan (Gonzaga and Santa Ana), and eastern portion of Babuyan Islands (Babuyan, Didicas, and Camiguin Islands) under Signal No. 1.
“Minimal to minor impacts from strong winds are possible within any of the areas under Wind Signal No. 1,” PAGASA said.
As of 4 a.m., the center of Typhoon Francisco was estimated at 715 kilometers east of Tuguegarao City, Cagayan.
The typhoon was packing maximum sustained winds of 140 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 170 kph. It was moving west-northwestward at 30 kph.
PAGASA said Francisco has further intensified and is expected to continue strengthening in the next 24 hours.
“Francisco will further intensify and may reach its peak intensity by tomorrow (June 23). Thereafter, a weakening trend is expected,” the weather bureau said.
While the typhoon is forecast to remain over the Philippine Sea throughout the forecast period, PAGASA said the public should continue monitoring updates as changes in the cyclone's track remain possible.
“Francisco will likely remain over the Philippine Sea throughout the forecast period. However, a closer approach to Extreme Northern Luzon is not ruled out should there be a westward shift in the forecast track,” it said.
According to PAGASA, the typhoon will continue moving west northwestward until Tuesday before slowing down, recurving, and eventually exiting the Philippine Area of Responsibility by Friday, June 26.
Typhoon-enhanced ‘habagat’
Meanwhile, the southwest monsoon or “habagat,” enhanced by Francisco, is expected to bring strong to gale-force gusts over several parts of the country.
PAGASA said these gusty conditions may affect La Union, Pangasinan, Calabarzon, Romblon, Masbate, most of Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Misamis Occidental, Lanao del Norte, Camiguin, Surigao del Norte, Dinagat Islands, Davao Occidental, and Davao Oriental on Monday.
The weather bureau also warned of rough seas of up to 3.5 meters along the eastern seaboards of the Babuyan Islands and mainland Cagayan.
“Mariners of small seacrafts, including all types of motorbancas, are advised not to venture out to sea under these conditions, especially if inexperienced or operating ill-equipped vessels,” PAGASA said.
Rains due to the habagat may also affect Palawan, Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, Negros Island Region, Western Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, and Bangsamoro Automous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
New LPA
Meanwhile, PAGASA weather specialist Aldczar Aurelio said a new low-pressure area (LPA 06c) was spotted outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) on Monday morning.
As of 4 a.m., the LPA was located 2,885 kilometers east of southeastern Luzon and is not expected to directly affect any part of the country.
Aurelio said the weather disturbance is forecast to recurve northward toward Japan.