Before dawn on Monday, June 22, 2026, Typhoon Francisco — known internationally as Mekkhala — was already on a strengthening trajectory as it churned across the Philippine Sea, prompting state weather bureau DOST-PAGASA to raise Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1 over Batanes and parts of northeastern Cagayan. The storm was moving west northwestward at a relatively fast clip of 30 kilometers per hour.
Location and Bulletin Details
DOST-PAGASA's Tropical Cyclone Bulletin No. 6, released at 5:00 AM on June 22, 2026, placed the center of Typhoon Francisco at approximately 715 kilometers east of Tuguegarao City, Cagayan, at geographic coordinates 17.3°N, 128.5°E — as of the 4:00 AM observation. The bulletin was valid until the next scheduled update at 11:00 AM on the same date.
Storm Strength and Structure
According to DOST-PAGASA, Typhoon Francisco was packing maximum sustained winds of 140 kilometers per hour near its center, with gusts reaching up to 170 km/h. Central pressure stood at 965 hectopascals, reflecting a well-organized and vigorous system.
The weather bureau further noted that tropical cyclone-force winds radiated outward up to 420 kilometers from the storm's center — a substantial reach that has widened the zone of concern across the northern and eastern portions of the Philippine Sea.
DOST-PAGASA projected that Francisco would continue to intensify over the coming hours, with peak intensity expected on Tuesday, June 23, 2026. A gradual weakening trend is forecast to follow as the typhoon slows down and eventually begins to recurve.
Areas Under Wind Signal No. 1
As detailed in Bulletin No. 6, TCWS No. 1 has been hoisted over the following areas in Luzon: the entire province of Batanes; the northeastern portion of Cagayan, covering specifically the municipalities of Gonzaga and Santa Ana; and parts of the Babuyan Islands group, including Babuyan Island, Didicas Island, and Camiguin Island.
DOST-PAGASA explained that under TCWS No. 1, winds of 39 to 61 km/h — equivalent to Beaufort Scale 6 to 7 — are expected within a 36-hour lead time. The agency described the threat level posed by these winds as "minimal to minor" in terms of danger to life and property, while noting that coastal and mountainous areas exposed to the prevailing wind direction could experience locally stronger gusts.
Habagat to Spread Gale-Force Winds Across the Country
Beyond the typhoon's direct impacts, DOST-PAGASA warned that the Southwest Monsoon — called habagat in Filipino — would generate strong to gale-force gusts across a far larger portion of the country over the next several days.
On Monday, June 22, monsoon-enhanced winds were forecast to 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 — particularly in coastal and elevated areas.
By Tuesday, June 23, the monsoon's influence was expected to expand significantly, covering most of Luzon, Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Surigao del Norte, Dinagat Islands, Davao Occidental, and Davao Oriental, according to DOST-PAGASA's forecast.
On Wednesday, June 24, monsoon conditions were forecast to persist across most of Luzon, Visayas, Dinagat Islands, Davao Occidental, and Davao Oriental.
Hazardous Sea Conditions Along Northern Coastlines
DOST-PAGASA's 24-hour sea condition outlook for June 22, 2026 flagged dangerous waters along multiple northern Philippine coastlines. The highest waves — up to 3.5 meters — were expected along the eastern seaboards of the Babuyan Islands and mainland Cagayan. Wave heights of up to 3.0 meters were forecast along the eastern coasts of Batanes and Isabela.
In a firm advisory, DOST-PAGASA stated: "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."
Moderate sea conditions with wave heights of up to 2.5 meters were anticipated along the remaining seaboards of mainland Cagayan, the Babuyan Islands, and Batanes; the seaboard of Aurora; the northern and eastern coasts of Polillo Islands and Catanduanes; the northern coastlines of Camarines Norte and Camarines Sur; and the eastern seaboard of Davao Oriental.
Wave heights reaching up to 2.0 meters were also forecast along the northern seaboard of Ilocos Norte, the northeastern coast of mainland Quezon, the northern and eastern seaboards of Northern Samar, and the eastern seaboards of Albay, Sorsogon, Eastern Samar, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Sur, and the southern coast of Davao Oriental. DOST-PAGASA advised operators of motorbancas and comparably sized vessels to take precautionary steps and avoid unnecessary navigation in these areas.
Forecast Path and Key Uncertainty
DOST-PAGASA's track outlook indicated that Typhoon Francisco would remain over the Philippine Sea throughout the forecast period, continuing its west northwestward movement through Tuesday, June 23. After that, the storm was expected to decelerate before eventually recurving away from the Philippines. The agency projected that Francisco would exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) by Friday, June 26, 2026.
Importantly, DOST-PAGASA included a notable caveat in Bulletin No. 6: "A closer approach to Extreme Northern Luzon is not ruled out should there be a westward shift in the forecast track." The agency acknowledged that the storm's actual path could still shift within the bounds of its forecast confidence cone, and reminded the public that communities outside the cone were not necessarily safe from heavy rainfall or severe winds.
Precautionary Measures Urged for Affected Areas
DOST-PAGASA called on local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) offices and the general public in storm-affected areas to act decisively in preparing for the typhoon's potential impacts. In the bulletin, the agency stated: "Persons living in areas identified to be highly or very highly susceptible to these hazards are advised to follow evacuation and other instructions from local officials."
The weather bureau also directed communities to consult Weather Advisory No. 1 — likewise released at 5:00 AM on June 22, 2026 — for the heavy rainfall outlook tied to Francisco. Residents were encouraged to follow updates from their respective local PAGASA Regional Services Divisions, including thunderstorm and rainfall advisories relevant to their specific localities.
Next Update at 11:00 AM, June 22
The next Tropical Cyclone Bulletin on Typhoon Francisco (Mekkhala) was scheduled by DOST-PAGASA for release at 11:00 AM on Monday, June 22, 2026. Subsequent bulletins would continue to be issued at regular intervals as the typhoon's track and intensity evolve.
DOST-PAGASA reminded the public to source all typhoon-related information exclusively from official channels and to refrain from spreading unverified reports that could trigger confusion or undue alarm.
All data cited in this report are drawn from DOST-PAGASA Tropical Cyclone Bulletin No. 6, issued at 5:00 AM on June 22, 2026, under the tracking hashtag #FranciscoPH.
Source: Originally reported by breakingnewsnegor.com / Balita Negros Oriental