Francisco now a typhoon, expected to enhance southwest monsoon (opens original article in a new tab)

Typhoon Francisco strengthened into a typhoon on June 21, 2026, and is expected to enhance the southwest monsoon, bringing heavy rain and strong winds to parts of the Philippines.

• Typhoon Francisco (Mekkhala) strengthened from a severe tropical storm to a typhoon on June 21, 2026
• Francisco is expected to enhance the southwest monsoon, bringing heavy rain and strong winds to parts of Luzon and the Visayas
• PAGASA warns of scattered rain, thunderstorms, and gale-force gusts in multiple regions, with possible signal no. 1 for Cagayan, Babuyan Islands, and Batanes