Here's what we know so far about Typhoon Francisco
PAGASA is warning against a typhoon located east of Luzon.
Severe tropical storm Francisco (international name Mekkhala) entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility on June 20, at 8 p.m., according to the weather bureau's first bulletin.
As of 11 a.m. on June 21, Francisco officially became a typhoon, and on June 22, PAGASA said it is intensifying further as it traverses the Philippine Sea. Here's what you need to know.
Where is the typhoon?
Based on PAGASA's 11 a.m. bulletin, Francisco is located 620 kilometers east of Tuguegarao City, Cagayan, with maximum sustained winds of 155 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 190 kilometers per hour. It is moving west-northwestward at 15 kilometers per hour, with the weather bureau predicting it may reach peak intensity by tomorrow.
The typhoon reaching Super Typhoon category is still not being ruled out.
Weather conditions
Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 has been raised in Batanes, the northeastern portion of Cagayan, including the eastern portion of the Babuyan Islands. Expect minimal to minor impacts from strong winds within any of the areas due to the southwest monsoon and the periphery of the typhoon.
While no wind signal has been hoisted in Visayas and Mindanao, strong to gale-force gusts are expected over most of Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Misamis Occidental, Lanao del Norte, Camiguin, Surigao del Norte, Dinagat Islands, Davao Occidental, and Davao Oriental. Anticipate cloudy skies with scattered rains and thunderstorms in these areas, along with possible flash floods or landslides due to moderate to heavy rains.
Those in Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon can expect cloudy skies with isolated rain showers from localized thunderstorms.
PAGASA added that heavy rainfall and severe winds may still be experienced in localities outside the forecast confidence cone.
Francisco is expected to remain far from the Philippine landmass and is predicted to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility by Friday, June 26.
