Francisco weakens; Signal No. 1 still up Batanes, parts of Cagayan

MANILA, 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’

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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.”

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“Francisco is forecast to gradually weaken throughout the forecast period. Nevertheless, it will remain as a typhoon while inside the PAR (Philippine area of responsibility) region,” said Pagasa.

The typhoon is then expected to exit PAR by Thursday evening or Friday morning.

Despite weakening, Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 (or where winds of 39 to 61 km/h and intermittent rains may be expected in at least 36 hours) remains raised in the following areas:

Batanes

Northeastern portion of Cagayan (Gonzaga, Santa Ana), including Babuyan Islands

Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Higos, which is still located outside PAR 2,360 km east of Southeastern Luzon maintained its strength while moving westward near Guam.

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It carries maximum sustained winds of 65 km/h and gustiness of up to 85 km/h.

Pagasa said Higos is expected to enter PAR by Thursday evening—where it will then be given the local name “Gardo.”

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However, Pagasa said Higos is expected to once again exit PAR by Friday.

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