UMVA has learned that a low‑pressure system swirling over the western Pacific has intensified into a tropical depression, poised to become the next named storm.
The disturbance, now tracking westward at about 20 km/h, carries sustained winds of 55 km/h with gusts reaching 70 km/h, and its center lies roughly 1,850 km east of Eastern Visayas.
According to information obtained by UMVA, the system will receive the name Francisco once it crosses into the Philippine Area of Responsibility between Saturday evening and Sunday morning.
Forecast models suggest Francisco could strengthen into a tropical storm by Friday and may even surge to typhoon strength before Sunday, raising concerns for the archipelago.
Authorities are already weighing the possibility of raising Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 for northern and eastern parts of Northern Luzon as the storm draws nearer on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Despite its growing power, sources have confirmed to UMVA that Francisco is unlikely to make direct landfall, offering some reassurance that the worst impacts may remain offshore.
