Francisco weakens back into typhoon over Philippine Sea

MANILA, Philippines – Francisco (Mekkhala) weakened back into a typhoon over the Philippine Sea at 8 am on Tuesday, June 23, 12 hours after it intensified into a super typhoon.

It was last spotted 375 kilometers east northeast of Aparri, Cagayan, or 380 kilometers east of Calayan, Cagayan, as of 10 am on Tuesday.

The typhoon maintained its slow pace, moving northwest at only 10 kilometers per hour (km/h).

Its maximum sustained winds decreased from 185 km/h to 175 km/h, while its gustiness is down to 215 km/h from 230 km/h.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) expects Francisco to weaken further, but it is likely to remain a typhoon while inside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR).

Francisco has stayed offshore and is unlikely to make landfall in the Philippines. It is projected to recurve towards Japan’s Ryukyu Islands and the sea south of mainland Japan, according to PAGASA.

The typhoon, however, is still bringing heavy rain to extreme Northern Luzon.

Tuesday noon, June 23, to Wednesday noon, June 24

• Moderate to heavy rain (50-100 millimeters): Batanes, Cagayan

Wednesday noon, June 24, to Thursday noon, June 25

• Moderate to heavy rain (50-100 mm): Batanes

On Tuesday, Aurora and Isabela may also experience scattered rain and thunderstorms due to Francisco.

The weather bureau updated its rainfall outlook for the southwest monsoon or habagat as well.

Tuesday noon, June 23, to Wednesday noon, June 24

• Moderate to heavy rain (50-100 millimeters): Palawan, Occidental Mindoro, Antique

Wednesday noon, June 24, to Thursday noon, June 25

• Moderate to heavy rain (50-100 mm): Palawan, Occidental Mindoro, Bataan

Thursday noon, June 25, to Friday noon, June 26

• Moderate to heavy rain (50-100 mm): Palawan, Occidental Mindoro, Bataan

On Tuesday, the rest of Mimaropa, Calabarzon, Bicol, the rest of the Visayas, and Mindanao are also expected to have scattered rain and thunderstorms because of the southwest monsoon.

Floods and landslides are possible in areas affected by both Francisco and the southwest monsoon.

For strong winds, the following areas remain under Signal No. 1:

• Batanes
• northeastern part of Cagayan (Gonzaga, Santa Ana) including the eastern part of Babuyan Islands (Babuyan Island, Didicas Island, Camiguin Island)

PAGASA said Signal No. 2 might be raised for parts of Babuyan Islands and Batanes if the typhoon’s track shifts significantly westward. “However, this scenario is becoming less likely,” the weather bureau added.

The southwest monsoon and Francisco’s periphery or outer bands are also bringing strong to gale-force gusts to these areas:

Tuesday, June 23

• most of Luzon, Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Surigao del Norte, Dinagat Islands, Davao Occidental, Davao Oriental

Wednesday, June 24

• most of Luzon, Visayas, Misamis Occidental, Lanao del Norte, Camiguin, Dinagat Islands, Davao Occidental, Davao Oriental

Thursday, June 25

• most of Luzon, Panay Island, Negros Occidental, Northern Samar

Meanwhile, coastal warnings have been upgraded, with sea travel now dangerous for all vessels in extreme Northern Luzon.

Up to very rough, high, or very high seas (travel is risky for all vessels)

• Eastern seaboards of Batanes and Babuyan Islands; northeastern seaboard of mainland Cagayan – waves up to 4.5 meters high

Up to rough seas (small vessels should not venture out to sea)

• Remaining seaboards of Batanes and Babuyan Islands – waves up to 3.5 meters high
• Remaining seaboard of mainland Cagayan; eastern seaboards of Isabela and northern Aurora – waves up to 3 meters high

Up to moderate seas (small vessels should take precautionary measures or avoid sailing, if possible)

• Remaining seaboard of Aurora; northern seaboard of Ilocos Norte; northern and eastern seaboards of Polillo Islands and Catanduanes; northern seaboards of Camarines Norte and Camarines Sur; eastern seaboard of Davao Oriental – waves up to 2.5 meters high
• Seaboard of northern Quezon; northern and eastern seaboards of Northern Samar; eastern seaboards of Albay, Sorsogon, Eastern Samar, Dinagat Islands, and Surigao del Sur; southern seaboard of Davao Oriental – waves up to 2 meters high

Francisco is the Philippines’ sixth tropical cyclone for 2026, and the second for June. It may exit PAR on Thursday evening, June 25, or Friday morning, June 26.

Meanwhile, the tropical depression outside PAR intensified into a tropical storm at 8 am on Tuesday. It has been given the international name Higos, the Chamorro word for “fig,” which was contributed by the United States.

Tropical Storm Higos was located 2,605 kilometers east of southeastern Luzon as of 8 am on Tuesday, moving west at 15 km/h. It has maximum sustained winds of 65 km/h and gustiness of up to 80 km/h.

PAGASA’s latest forecast shows Higos may not affect the country, but updates on the tropical storm will still be provided as it is within the weather bureau’s monitoring domain.

PAGASA had announced the onset of the southwest monsoon last May 30, and the start of the rainy season on June 4. – Rappler.com