Typhoon Francisco (international name: Mekkhala) continued to intensify over the Philippine Sea as of the early morning of Monday, June 22, 2026, with state weather bureau DOST-PAGASA placing portions of Batanes and the northeastern part of Cagayan under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1 as the storm advances west northwestward at a brisk 30 kilometers per hour.
In Tropical Cyclone Bulletin No. 6, issued at 5:00 AM on June 22, 2026, DOST-PAGASA reported that the center of Typhoon Francisco was located approximately 715 kilometers east of Tuguegarao City, Cagayan, at geographic coordinates 17.3°N, 128.5°E, as of 4:00 AM on the same date.
The bulletin is valid for broadcast until the next scheduled update at 11:00 AM, June 22, 2026.
Typhoon Francisco's Current Strength and Characteristics
DOST-PAGASA reported that Typhoon Francisco carries maximum sustained winds of 140 kilometers per hour near its center, with gustiness reaching up to 170 km/h. The storm's central pressure was measured at 965 hectopascals (hPa).
Tropical cyclone-force winds extend outward up to 420 kilometers from the typhoon's center, significantly broadening the zone of potential impact across the northern and eastern sections of the Philippine Sea.
According to DOST-PAGASA, Francisco is forecast to further intensify in the coming hours and is expected to reach its peak intensity by Tuesday, June 23, 2026. A weakening trend is anticipated thereafter as the storm begins to decelerate and eventually recurve.
Wind Signal No. 1 Raised Over Batanes and Parts of Cagayan
As of Bulletin No. 6, TCWS No. 1 has been raised over the following areas in Luzon: the entire province of Batanes, the northeastern portion of Cagayan — specifically the municipalities of Gonzaga and Santa Ana — and the eastern portion of the Babuyan Islands, including Babuyan Island, Didicas Island, and Camiguin Island.
Under TCWS No. 1, strong winds with speeds ranging from 39 to 61 km/h (Beaufort Scale 6 to 7) are expected within the warning lead time of 36 hours. DOST-PAGASA characterized the potential impact of these winds as "minimal to minor threat to life and property," though it cautioned that local winds may be slightly stronger in coastal and upland or mountainous areas exposed to the prevailing wind direction.
Southwest Monsoon to Bring Strong Winds Across Wider Areas
Aside from the direct effects of Typhoon Francisco, DOST-PAGASA warned that the Southwest Monsoon — locally known as the habagat — will bring strong to gale-force gusts to a much broader swath of the country over the next several days.
On Monday, June 22, 2026, strong to gale-force gusts driven by the monsoon are expected over 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 — especially in coastal and upland areas exposed to the wind.
On Tuesday, June 23, 2026, the monsoon's influence is expected to expand to most of Luzon, Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Surigao del Norte, Dinagat Islands, Davao Occidental, and Davao Oriental.
By Wednesday, June 24, 2026, monsoon-enhanced winds are forecast to continue affecting most of Luzon, Visayas, Dinagat Islands, Davao Occidental, and Davao Oriental.
Rough to Moderate Seas Threaten Northern Philippine Coastal Waters
DOST-PAGASA's 24-hour sea condition outlook as of June 22, 2026 warned of rough to moderate sea conditions across several coastal areas, particularly along the eastern seaboards of northern Luzon.
Wave heights of up to 3.5 meters are forecast along the eastern seaboards of Babuyan Islands and mainland Cagayan. Wave heights of up to 3.0 meters are expected along the eastern seaboards of Batanes and Isabela.
DOST-PAGASA issued a strict advisory for mariners: "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 are expected over the remaining seaboards of mainland Cagayan, Babuyan Islands, and Batanes; the seaboard of Aurora; the northern and eastern seaboards of Polillo Islands and Catanduanes; the northern seaboards of Camarines Norte and Camarines Sur; and the eastern seaboard of Davao Oriental.
Wave heights of up to 2.0 meters are forecast along the northern seaboard of Ilocos Norte, the northeastern seaboard 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 seaboard of Davao Oriental.
Mariners of motorbancas and similarly sized vessels were advised by DOST-PAGASA to take precautionary measures and, if possible, to avoid navigation under these moderate sea conditions.
Forecast Track: Possible Closer Approach to Extreme Northern Luzon
According to DOST-PAGASA's track and intensity outlook, Typhoon Francisco is expected to remain over the Philippine Sea throughout the forecast period. The storm will continue moving west northwestward until Tuesday, June 23, 2026, after which it is expected to decelerate before recurving.
DOST-PAGASA projected that Typhoon Francisco will exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) by Friday, June 26, 2026.
However, DOST-PAGASA included a significant caveat in its bulletin: "A closer approach to Extreme Northern Luzon is not ruled out should there be a westward shift in the forecast track." The weather bureau emphasized that the track may still shift within the limits of the forecast confidence cone.
DOST-PAGASA also cautioned that heavy rainfall and severe winds may still be experienced in localities outside the forecast confidence cone, urging the public to monitor weather advisories specific to their areas.
Residents and LGUs Urged to Take Precautionary Measures
In its bulletin, DOST-PAGASA called on the public and Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) offices in affected areas to take all necessary measures to protect life and property.
"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," DOST-PAGASA stated in Bulletin No. 6.
The agency also directed the public to refer to Weather Advisory No. 1, also issued at 5:00 AM on June 22, 2026, for the heavy rainfall outlook associated with Typhoon Francisco. DOST-PAGASA advised communities to monitor products issued by their respective local PAGASA Regional Services Division for weather information specific to their localities, including thunderstorm and rainfall advisories.
Next Bulletin Scheduled at 11:00 AM, June 22, 2026
DOST-PAGASA will issue the next Tropical Cyclone Bulletin on Typhoon Francisco (Mekkhala) at 11:00 AM on Monday, June 22, 2026. Subsequent bulletins will continue to be released at regular intervals as the typhoon progresses.
The public is urged to obtain weather information only from official DOST-PAGASA channels and to avoid sharing unverified reports that may cause confusion or unnecessary panic.
All information in this report is sourced from DOST-PAGASA Tropical Cyclone Bulletin No. 6, issued at 5:00 AM on June 22, 2026, under the hashtag #FranciscoPH.
Photo credit: Photo courtesy of DOST-PAGASA