Quick Answer: Super Typhoon Champi intensified from a typhoon into a super typhoon over waters near Guam early on Sunday, October 18. As of 4 a.m., it packed sustained winds of 185 kph with gusts to 230 kph. PAGASA says the cyclone may enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Tuesday, October 20, when it will be given the local name “Rosal.”
Super Typhoon Champi has rapidly intensified over the western Pacific, becoming the latest major storm to threaten East Asia this season. PAGASA said on Sunday, October 18, that Champi strengthened from a typhoon into a super typhoon over the sea near Guam early in the morning, and warned parts of the Philippines could see Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 3 or 4 later this week.
As of 4 a.m. Sunday, Champi packed maximum sustained winds of 185 kilometers per hour near the center with gusts to 230 kph, according to PAGASA weather specialist Aldczar Aurelio. The cyclone sat 2,230 kilometers east of southeastern Luzon, moving west-northwestward at 25 kph. It had no direct effect on the Philippines as of Sunday morning, PAGASA said.
Super Typhoon Champi 2026: Current Status and Forecast
PAGASA’s forecast track takes Champi generally northwestward toward Taiwan. The cyclone may enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) on Tuesday, October 20, and once inside it will be locally named “Rosal” — the Philippines gives its own names to storms that enter its area of responsibility, alongside their international names.
Because of the storm’s size and movement, PAGASA said Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 could be raised over the northern and eastern sections of Northern Luzon and the eastern section of the Bicol Region as early as Monday, October 19, or Tuesday. In the current forecast scenario, the highest wind signal could reach No. 3 or 4, though PAGASA stressed that the specific areas have yet to be determined.
Strong wind gusts may affect several parts of the country by midweek, while heavy rains from Champi could reach extreme Northern Luzon toward the weekend. “This coming Wednesday, Oct. 21, strong wind gusts may be experienced across almost the entire country,” Aurelio said (translated from Filipino). He added that based on the forecast track, extreme Northern Luzon may be affected this coming Thursday or Friday, October 22 or 23.
What PAGASA Says About Landfall
The likelihood of Champi making landfall in the Philippines remains low, PAGASA said — a key piece of reassurance for now. But the agency is watching the track closely: Champi is forecast to maintain super typhoon strength upon entering PAR, with gradual weakening possibly beginning by Wednesday after it reaches peak intensity.
For Sunday itself, the weather bureau said the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) will bring cloudy skies with scattered rains and thunderstorms over parts of Mindanao and Palawan, with possible flash floods or landslides during severe thunderstorms. Metro Manila and the rest of the country can expect partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms. No gale warning is in effect and no high waves are expected on Sunday.
Why It Matters
A super typhoon with 230 kph gusts is a serious hazard even without a direct hit: storm-force winds can extend hundreds of kilometers from the center, and the Philippines’ northern provinces sit in the forecast cone. Signal No. 3 or 4 means destructive winds capable of tearing roofs off and toppling power lines. Taiwan is also in the storm’s path, and both countries will issue updated bulletins daily.
What Happens Next
Watch for PAGASA’s next bulletins: the first wind signals could go up as early as Monday or Tuesday over Northern Luzon and Bicol, and the storm’s entry into the PAR on Tuesday will trigger the local name “Rosal.” Aurelio urged the public to monitor official weather bulletins as the cyclone approaches. Track updates, signal changes, and any shift toward or away from Taiwan will define the next 48 hours.
Key Takeaways
- Super Typhoon Champi intensified from a typhoon into a super typhoon over waters near Guam early Sunday, October 18, with sustained winds of 185 kph and gusts to 230 kph.
- As of 4 a.m., it was 2,230 km east of southeastern Luzon, moving west-northwest at 25 kph — still outside the PAR, with no direct effect on the country yet.
- It may enter the PAR on Tuesday, October 20, when it will be locally named “Rosal”, and is forecast to hold super typhoon strength on entry.
- Signal No. 1 could go up over Northern Luzon and eastern Bicol by Monday or Tuesday; the highest signal in the current scenario could reach No. 3 or 4.
- Strong gusts could sweep almost the whole country by Wednesday, October 21, with heavy rain over extreme Northern Luzon on Thursday or Friday.
FAQs
Where is Super Typhoon Champi right now?
As of 4 a.m. on Sunday, October 18, Champi was 2,230 kilometers east of southeastern Luzon, moving west-northwestward at 25 kph. It is still outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility, so PAGASA says it has no direct effect on the Philippines yet. It intensified into a super typhoon over waters near Guam early Sunday morning.
When will Champi enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility?
PAGASA forecasts that Champi will continue moving northwestward toward Taiwan and may enter the PAR on Tuesday, October 20. Once it crosses into the Philippine Area of Responsibility, it will be given the local name “Rosal” — Philippine storms carry both an international name and a local one.
Will Super Typhoon Champi hit the Philippines?
PAGASA says the likelihood of landfall in the Philippines remains low for now. However, the agency warns that strong winds and heavy rains could still affect extreme Northern Luzon later this week, with wind signals possibly reaching No. 3 or 4. The track is being monitored closely and could change.
What wind signals could PAGASA raise for Champi?
Signal No. 1 could be hoisted over the northern and eastern sections of Northern Luzon and the eastern section of the Bicol Region as early as Monday, October 19, or Tuesday, because of the storm’s size and movement. PAGASA says the highest signal could reach No. 3 or 4, though the specific areas are not yet determined.
How strong is Super Typhoon Champi?
As of Sunday morning’s advisory, Champi had maximum sustained winds of 185 kilometers per hour near its center with gusts up to 230 kph. It is expected to maintain super typhoon strength when it enters the PAR, though gradual weakening may begin by Wednesday after it reaches peak intensity.
Why will the storm be called Rosal?
“Champi” is the storm’s international name. The Philippines assigns its own local names to tropical cyclones that enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility, and “Rosal” is the next name on PAGASA’s 2026 list. So once Champi enters the PAR — expected Tuesday — Philippine bulletins will call it Super Typhoon Rosal.
Sources
- GMA News Online, “Super Typhoon Champi still outside PAR, could enter Tuesday” (Oct 18, 2026): full report
- Manila Bulletin (Ellalyn De Vera-Ruiz), “Signal No. 3 or 4 possible over extreme Northern Luzon as Super Typhoon Champi heads toward Taiwan” (Oct 18, 2026): full report
- PAGASA (via both reports) — tropical cyclone advisories and on-record statements by weather specialists Dan Villamil and Aldczar Aurelio, October 18, 2026
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By GlobalDeskNews Staff | October 18, 2026