Typhoon Francisco, known internationally as Mekkhala, develops and then fluctuates in strength as it moves across the Philippine Sea toward and away from northern Luzon, according to updates from PAGASA. It intensifies from severe tropical storm conditions toward typhoon strength, with PAGASA saying it “continues to intensify” and could reach typhoon category. On Monday, PAGASA reports further strengthening to super typhoon status, listing maximum sustained winds near the center at 185 kph and gusts up to 230 kph, with the system located several hundred kilometers east of Cagayan (including around 440 km east of Tuguegarao or similar distances east of Aparri/Tuguegarao depending on the bulletin time). As the days progress, Francisco weakens while continuing a northward or north-northeast/northeastward track. By Wednesday, PAGASA reports maximum sustained winds decreasing to around 140 kph, with movement northward at about 10 kph. Throughout the period, Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 remains in effect in parts of northern Luzon and/or Batanes and Cagayan as the storm’s position and intensity change. PAGASA also reports rainfall impacts tied to the cyclone’s associated trough and the southwest monsoon (“habagat”), with rain expected in parts of Luzon.
Typhoon Francisco (Mekkhala) intensifies, then weakens while affecting northern Luzon
Typhoon Francisco, known internationally as Mekkhala, develops and then fluctuates in strength as it moves across the Philippine Sea toward and away from northern Luzon, according to updates from PAGA...
- PAGASA tracks Typhoon Francisco (international name: Mekkhala) and issues regular bulletins on its location, speed, and wind strength.
- Francisco intensifies into a super typhoon at peak, with maximum sustained winds reported up to 185 kph and gusts up to 230 kph.
- Subsequently, Francisco weakens while continuing a northward/north-northeast track, with maximum sustained winds reported around 140 kph by Wednesday.
- Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1 remains in effect in parts of Northern Luzon, including Batanes and Cagayan, during the storm’s passage.
- PAGASA expects rainfall impacts in parts of Luzon linked to Francisco’s trough and the southwest monsoon (“habagat”).
MANILA, Philippines — Typhoon Francisco (international name: Mekkhala) further weakened on Wednesday afternoon as it continued to head away from the country, the state weather bureau said. According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) in its latest typhoon bulletin, Francisco was last spotted 320 kilometers (km) east northeast of Itbayat, Batanes. READ: Francisco weakens into typhoon, enhances ‘habagat’ It currently carries maximum sustained winds of 130 km per hour (kph) and gustiness of up to 160 kph while moving northward. “Francisco will continue moving northward within the next 12 hours before turning northeastward towards the Ryukyu […]...Keep on reading: Signal No. 1 still up in Batanes, Cagayan as Typhoon Francisco weakens
2 months agoMANILA, Philippines — Typhoon Francisco (international name: Mekkhala) continued to weaken as it maintained a northward track as of 11 a.m. on Wednesday, according to the state weather bureau. In its latest bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said the center of Francisco was last located 295 kilometers (km) east-northeast of Basco, Batanes. The typhoon has maximum sustained winds of 140 kilometers per hour (km/h) and is moving northward at 10 km/h. READ: Rainy Wednesday in parts of Luzon, Visayas as typhoon moves away Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 remains in effect over Batanes and […]...Keep on reading: Typhoon Francisco weakens further, but rains expected across Luzon
2 months agoMANILA, Philippines — Typhoon Francisco (international name: “Mekkhala”) slightly weakened as it continued to move northward above the Philippine Sea, the state weather bureau said. According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) in its latest typhoon bulletin, Francisco was last spotted 320 kilometers (km) east of Calayan, Cagayan. READ: Francisco weakens into typhoon, enhances ‘habagat’ It currently carries maximum sustained winds of 165 km per hour (km/h) and gustiness of up to 205 km/h while moving northwestward “slowly.” “Francisco is forecast to gradually weaken throughout the forecast period. Nevertheless, it will remain as a typhoon while […]...Keep on reading: Francisco weakens; Signal No. 1 still up Batanes, parts of Cagayan
2 months agoMANILA – Wind signal no. 1 remains hoisted in some Northern Luzon areas as Typhoon Francisco maintained its strength, the weather bureau said in its 5 p.m. bulletin on Tuesday. These areas are Batanes and the northeastern portion of Cagayan (Gonzaga, Santa Ana), including the eastern portion of the Babuyan Islands (Babuyan Island, Didicas Island, Camiguin Island). Francisco is packing maximum sustained winds of 175 kilometer per hour (kph) near the center, and gustiness of up to 215 kph, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said. It was last located 330 km. east of Calayan, Cagayan, moving […]...Keep on reading: Signal no. 1 up in N. Luzon areas as Francisco maintains strength
2 months agoMANILA, Philippines — Typhoon Francisco (international name: Mekkhala) maintained its strength on Tuesday afternoon as it continued to move northwestward over the Philippine Sea, the state weather bureau said. According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), Francisco was last spotted 330 kilometers (km) east of Calayan, Cagayan. READ: Francisco weakens into typhoon, enhances ‘habagat’ It currently carries maximum sustained winds of 175 kilometers per hour (kph) and gustiness of up to 215 kph while moving northwestward at 10 kph. “This tropical cyclone will remain far from the Philippine landmass as Francisco is forecast to move northward […]...Keep on reading: Typhoon Francisco keeps strength; Signal No. 1 remains in 2 areas
2 months ago(Image screengrabbed from Pagasa’s latest press briefing) MANILA, Philippines – Super Typhoon Francisco (international name: Mekkhala) has weakened into a typhoon over the Philippine Sea and is enhancing the southwest monsoon or “habagat” on Tuesday, according to the state weather bureau. In its latest press briefing, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said that Francisco was carrying maximum sustained winds of 175 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center, down from 185 kph Tuesday morning, with gusts of up to 215 kph. It was moving northwest at 10 kph. As of 10 a.m., the center of the […]...Keep on reading: Francisco weakens into typhoon, enhances 'habagat'
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