Severe Tropical Storm Francisco nears typhoon category as it approaches Bicol, E. Visayas

The intensity of Severe Tropical Storm Francisco (international name: Mekkhala) is nearing the typhoon category while it is over the Philippine Sea, PAGASA said Sunday morning.

According to its 11 a.m. weather bulletin, the state weather bureau said Francisco was located 1,170 kilometers east of Southeastern Luzon.

Francisco is carrying maximum sustained winds of 110 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 135 km/h and is moving northwestward at 25 km/h.

PAGASA said Francisco is less likely to directly affect the country's weather conditions today.

“It must be emphasized that heavy rainfall and severe winds may still be experienced in localities outside the forecast confidence cone,” PAGASA said.

Based on the latest forecast track, state meteorologists said Wind Signal No.1 may be hoisted in some areas in the northern and eastern portions of Cagayan, Babuyan Islands, and Batanes by Monday morning.

Meanwhile, the Southwest Monsoon or Habagat will bring strong to gale-force gusts over Siquijor, Camiguin, and the southern portions of Davao Oriental, Davao Occidental, and Sarangani on Sunday.

“The onset of heavy rains due to the enhanced Southwest Monsoon is possible beginning tomorrow (22 June). A weather advisory may be issued today in anticipation of the heavy rains over Northern Luzon and some areas in the western portions of Luzon and Visayas,” PAGASA said.

The following coastal waters will also experience up to moderate seas:

Up to 2.5 m: The eastern seaboards of Catanduanes and Davao Oriental.

Up to 2.0 m: The seaboards of Isabela and Surigao del Sur; the eastern seaboards of Cagayan, northern Aurora, Albay, Sorsogon, Eastern Samar, Dinagat Islands, Siargao Island-Bucas Grande Island Group, and Davao del Sur; the northern and eastern seaboards of Catanduanes and Northern Samar; the northern seaboard of Camarines Sur; the southern seaboard of Davao Oriental.

“Mariners of motorbancas and similarly sized vessels are advised to take precautionary measures while venturing out to sea and, if possible, avoid navigation under these conditions,” PAGASA said.

Francisco is expected to remain over the Philippine Sea throughout the forecast period.

“However, a closer approach to Extreme Northern Luzon is not ruled out should the forecast track continue to shift westward,” PAGASA said.

The storm will move west northwestward until Tuesday (23 June) before it decelerates as it moves generally northward for the rest of the forecast period.

“This tropical cyclone will continue to intensify and may reach typhoon category today,” PAGASA said.

“As it moves over the Philippine Sea, it will further intensify until it reaches its peak intensity likely by Monday (22 June) or Tuesday. Thereafter, a weakening trend is expected,” it added. —Mariel Celine Serquiña/RF, GMA News