Francisco Enters Philippine Area, Forecast to Become Typhoon

Severe Tropical Storm Francisco entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Saturday night, June 20, and is forecast to intensify into a typhoon over the Philippine Sea in the coming days. The storm, the country's sixth tropical cyclone of 2026, is expected to remain offshore, with a direct landfall considered unlikely.

According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), the storm was located approximately 1,295 kilometers east of southeastern Luzon as of late Saturday. It was moving west at 25 kilometers per hour, with maximum sustained winds of 95 km/h and gusts of up to 115 km/h. The weather bureau forecasts that Francisco will strengthen into a typhoon by Sunday, June 21, and likely reach its peak intensity by Monday, June 22.

While the storm's core is projected to stay over the Philippine Sea, its effects will be felt across parts of the archipelago. The trough, or extension, of Francisco is already causing scattered rain and thunderstorms in Eastern Visayas, Caraga, and the Davao Region. Furthermore, PAGASA has not ruled out the possibility of eventually raising Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 over the northern...