Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 is now in effect over several Luzon areas after the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) released Tropical Cyclone Bulletin No. 1 for Super Typhoon Rosal — known internationally as Champi — at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, October 20, 2026.
At 10:00 AM Tuesday, PAGASA placed the eye of Rosal at coordinates 16.1°N, 135.1°E, approximately 1,385 kilometres east of Central Luzon. The storm had not yet entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) and was moving west northwestward at 25 km/h.
Rosal's Intensity at First Bulletin
According to PAGASA, the typhoon's maximum sustained winds near the centre stood at 185 km/h, with gusts reaching 230 km/h and a central pressure of 940 hPa. Tropical cyclone winds extended outward up to 720 kilometres from the storm's centre.
PAGASA said further intensification is still possible as Rosal continues traversing the Philippine Sea, and the storm is expected to maintain Super Typhoon status before a gradual weakening phase begins.
Areas Covered by Wind Signal No. 1
Signal No. 1 — covering areas expecting strong winds of 39 to 61 km/h, with minimal to minor risk to life and property — has been raised over the following Luzon localities:
- Batanes
- Eastern portion of the Babuyan Islands (Babuyan, Camiguin, and Didicas Islands)
- Eastern portion of mainland Cagayan (Santa Ana, Gonzaga, Lal-Lo, Santa Teresita, Camalaniugan, Aparri, Buguey, Gattaran, Baggao, Peñablanca)
- Northeastern portion of Isabela (Maconacon, Divilacan, Palanan, San Pablo, Cabagan, Santa Maria, Tumauini, Ilagan City)
- Northeastern portion of Catanduanes (Pandan, Bagamanoc, Panganiban, Viga, Gigmoto)
PAGASA confirmed that no wind signals have been raised over Visayas or Mindanao under this bulletin. The warning lead time for Signal No. 1 zones is 36 hours. The agency indicated the highest wind signal that may be hoisted during Rosal's passage is Signal No. 2 or 3.
Projected Track and Intensity Forecast
PAGASA's track forecast shows Rosal continuing west northwestward through Wednesday, October 21, then shifting generally northwestward until Friday morning, October 23. By Friday afternoon, the storm is expected to curve north northwestward to northward, with PAR exit projected by Friday evening or early Saturday, October 24.
Intensity-wise, PAGASA forecast maximum sustained winds climbing to 205 km/h by 8:00 PM Tuesday, holding at that level through Wednesday morning before a gradual decline. By Thursday, October 22 at 8:00 AM, sustained winds are projected at 185 km/h. By Saturday, October 25 at 8:00 AM — when Rosal is forecast to be 1,045 kilometres north-northeast of extreme northern Luzon and outside PAR — the system is expected to have downgraded to Severe Tropical Storm category with sustained winds of 110 km/h.
PAGASA cautioned that the track may still shift within the forecast confidence cone, and localities outside the projected landfall corridor may still experience heavy rainfall and severe winds.
Strong to Gale-Force Gusts Expected Across Broader Areas
Outside the formal signal areas, PAGASA warned that the combined effect of the Northeasterly Windflow and Rosal's outer circulation will produce strong to gale-force gusts over coastal and upland areas across a wide portion of the country from Tuesday through Thursday.
On Tuesday, October 20, these conditions are expected over Batanes, Ilocos Norte, Cagayan, Isabela, Polillo Islands, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, most of Caraga, Camiguin, Misamis Oriental, Sarangani, Davao del Sur, and Davao Occidental.
Wednesday's coverage expands to include the Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, Cagayan Valley, Bicol Region, Romblon, Eastern Visayas, Iloilo, Guimaras, Negros Occidental, Siquijor, Bohol, Northern Mindanao, Caraga, Davao Region, Sarangani, and Zamboanga del Norte, according to PAGASA.
By Thursday, October 22, PAGASA said strong gusts are anticipated over most parts of the country. The agency also noted that a weather advisory for heavy rains and a Gale Warning for the northern and eastern seaboards of Northern Luzon and the eastern seaboards of Southern Luzon may be issued Tuesday afternoon or evening.
Hazardous Sea Conditions Along Northern and Eastern Coasts
PAGASA's 24-hour sea condition forecast flags very rough to rough seas along several coastlines. The northern and eastern seaboards of Catanduanes face the highest wave heights, forecast at up to 4.5 metres — conditions the agency described as risky for all vessel types, directing all mariners to remain in port or seek safe harbour immediately.
Wave heights of up to 4.0 metres are forecast for Isabela's seaboard; the eastern seaboards of Batanes, Babuyan Islands, and mainland Cagayan; and the northern seaboards of Camarines Norte and Camarines Sur, as well as the northern and eastern seaboards of Northern Samar and Eastern Samar. PAGASA advised mariners of small seacrafts and motorbancas not to venture out to sea under these conditions.
Moderate to rough seas of up to 2.5 metres are forecast along the seaboard of Surigao del Sur and the eastern seaboard of Davao Oriental. Seas reaching up to 2.0 metres are expected along the seaboards of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Surigao del Norte, Davao Occidental, and portions of Quezon, Camarines Sur, Polillo Islands, Dinagat Islands, and the Siargao-Bucas Grande Island Group. Mariners of motorbancas and similarly sized vessels are advised to take precautionary measures and avoid navigation where possible, PAGASA said.
Next Bulletin
PAGASA scheduled the release of Tropical Cyclone Bulletin No. 2 for Rosal at 5:00 PM on Tuesday, October 20, 2026. The agency urged the public and local disaster risk reduction and management offices to take all necessary precautions to protect life and property, and directed residents to follow evacuation orders and other instructions from local officials. For heavy rainfall warnings and localised severe weather information, PAGASA advised the public to monitor advisories from their respective local PAGASA Regional Services Division.
Source: PAGASA / pagasa.dost.gov.ph