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Typhoon Champi (2026)
Pacific typhoon in 2026
Typhoon Champi, known in the Philippines as Super Typhoon Rosal, is a large, active and powerful tropical cyclone that recently affected the island of Guam and is currently impacting Taiwan and the Ryukyu Islands. The thirtieth named storm and thirteenth typhoon of the active 2026 Pacific typhoon season, Champi originated from a disturbance near Micronesia that was upgraded by JMA to a tropical depression on October 11. Tracking generally northwestward, the system gradually organized and was also later upgraded to a tropical depression by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center(JTWC) as 29W on October 14. The next day, the system strengthened into a tropical storm on both JMA and JTWC's scales, and was named Champi by the former. Favorable environmental conditions allowed Champi to undergo rapid intensification on October 16, and it quickly intensified from a severe tropical storm into a typhoon. Gathering more strength, Champi attained Category 5-equivalent super typhoon status as it neared Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands by October 17. Following an eyewall replacement cycle that caused a temporary fluctuation in its intensity, Champi quickly regained Category 5 strength. On October 20, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) assigned the local name Rosal to the Champi as it approached the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR).
Meteorological history
On October 11, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) reported that a tropical depression formed near Micronesia. A few hours later, the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) designated a disturbance 306 Nautical mile east-northeast of Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands. On October 14, the JTWC recognized the disturbance as a tropical depression, assigning it the designation 29W. A day later, the JMA upgraded the depression into a tropical storm, assigning it the name Champi. Later that day, the JTWC followed suit and upgraded the system into a tropical storm. On October 16, the JMA upgraded the system into a severe tropical storm. Later that day, the JMA upgraded the system into a typhoon, with the JTWC following suit later that day, saying it had started rapid intensification. Champi then attained one-minute sustained winds of 140 mph (220 km/h) on October 17 as it neared Guam, before becoming a Category 5 equivalent Super Typhoon with winds of 165 mph (270 km/h). After the initial peak an eyewall replacement cycle occurred temporarily weakening it back to a Category 4 before slowly becoming a Category 5 typhoon with winds of 180 mph (290 km/h). Champi strengthened a bit further, reaching its peak intensity with winds of 185 mph (295 km/h) and the central pressure bottoming out at 894 mbar (26.43 inHg). It would then weaken slightly back to 180 mph (295 km/h) six hours later.
Preparations and impact
Guam and Mariana Islands
Typhoon Champi passed within 12 miles of Guam's southern tip on 18 October (local time), ultimately sparing the island from the strongest winds of the cyclone. While the eye's core of extreme winds remained mostly offshore, it was still close enough to cause notable damage to homes and knock down trees on the island.
Japan
Ahead of Champi, four Japanese airlines cancelled over 160 flights. All Nippon Airways suspended all flights to and from Miyako Airport and New Ishigaki Airport in Okinawa Prefecture on October 23. At least 8,400 households have already lost power, according to the Okinawa Electric Power Company as of 14:00 local time on October 23.
Philippines
On October 17 at 21:00 UTC (October 18 at 05:00 PHT), PAGASA began issuing advisories for the system in anticipation of its entry to the country's area of responsibility. On October 20 at 03:00 UTC (11:00 PHT), PAGASA issued Signal 1 warnings on Batanes, the eastern portions of the Babuyan islands and mainland Cagayan, and the northeastern portions of Isabella and Catanduanes.
Taiwan
School and work were cancelled across most of the nation. Weather authorities in Taipei issued a marine warning for waters east and north of the main island. The Central Emergency Operations Center (CEOC) announced that one man was swept away by waves driven by Champi in Liuqiu Township, Pingtung County, with rescuers finding the man without vital signs, being later pronounced dead. The CEOC also announced that the number of injured had risen to 94.