'Francisco' may become typhoon today, enhance habagat

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MANILA, Philippines — Severe Tropical Storm Francisco (international name Mekkhala) has gathered strength over the Philippine Sea and could reach typhoon status later Sunday, June 21, state weather bureau PAGASA said.

As of 4 a.m., Francisco’s center was estimated at 1,315 kilometers east of southeastern Luzon, packing maximum sustained winds of 100 kilometers per hour near the center and gusts of up to 125 kph.

Francisco was moving west-northwest over open waters at 25 kph, with strong to storm-force winds extending up to 420 kilometers from its center.

While PAGASA said Francisco is unlikely to directly affect weather conditions in the country on Sunday, the storm is expected to enhance the southwest monsoon, locally known as habagat, which may bring heavy rains starting Monday, June 22.

PAGASA said it may issue a weather advisory later Sunday for possible heavy rains over Northern Luzon and the western sections of Luzon and the Visayas.

No Tropical Cyclone Wind Signals have been raised as of Sunday morning. However, forecasters said Signal No. 1 may be hoisted over parts of Cagayan, the Babuyan Islands and Batanes by Monday morning.

Forecast track

Francisco is forecast to remain over the Philippine Sea throughout its lifespan, but PAGASA said a closer approach to extreme Northern Luzon remains possible if the storm’s track shifts further west.

The weather system is expected to continue moving west-northwest until Tuesday, June 24, before slowing down and turning northward.

Francisco is expected to continue gaining strength over warm ocean waters, possibly becoming a typhoon on Sunday and reaching peak intensity by Monday or Tuesday before gradually weakening, according to PAGASA.