Typhoon Rosal, known internationally as Champi, began pulling away from the Philippine Area of Responsibility early Saturday morning, October 24, 2026, after completing a counterclockwise loop over waters east of Taiwan — with PAGASA projecting the storm will fully exit PAR and head toward the East China Sea.
According to PAGASA Tropical Cyclone Bulletin No. 16, released at 5:00 AM Saturday, the typhoon's center was located 420 kilometers north of Itbayat, Batanes, at coordinates 24.5°N, 122.6°E, moving southwestward at 10 kilometers per hour as of 4:00 AM.
Typhoon Strength and Wind Field
PAGASA reported that Rosal carried maximum sustained winds of 150 km/h near its center, with gusts reaching up to 185 km/h and a central pressure of 955 hectopascals at bulletin time. The storm's destructive wind field extends outward up to 850 kilometers from the center, wide enough to continue affecting portions of northern and eastern Luzon's coastlines even as the storm moves away from Philippine territory.
Batanes Retains Wind Signal No. 1
As of the 5:00 AM bulletin, the province of Batanes remains the only area under a Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal, specifically Wind Signal No. 1, according to PAGASA. No wind signals have been raised over any part of Visayas or Mindanao.
Wind Signal No. 1 covers areas where strong winds of 39 to 61 km/h — Beaufort Scale 6 to 7 — are expected within a 36-hour lead time. PAGASA assessed the threat to life and property within Signal No. 1 zones as minimal to minor.
Strong Gusts Across Luzon and Parts of Visayas on Saturday
Even without wind signals in force, PAGASA warned that Rosal's outer circulation will generate strong to gale-force gusts on Saturday, October 24, particularly in coastal, upland, and mountainous areas exposed to the prevailing winds. Localities expected to experience these conditions include the Babuyan Islands, Ilocos Norte, Aurora, northern Quezon, the Polillo Islands, Bicol Region, Romblon, Capiz, Iloilo, and Negros Occidental.
By Sunday, October 25, strong gusts are expected to linger over Batanes and the Babuyan Islands. PAGASA noted that winds will be somewhat stronger in elevated and exposed coastal areas, while areas shielded from prevailing winds will see lighter conditions.
Hazardous Seas Off Northern Luzon
A Gale Warning — Gale Warning No. 8 — remains active over the seaboards of Northern Luzon, also issued at 5:00 AM Saturday, according to PAGASA. The 24-hour sea forecast identifies dangerous wave heights across multiple coastal stretches.
The waters surrounding Batanes face the most extreme conditions, with seas projected to reach up to 5.5 meters. PAGASA said sea travel under such conditions is hazardous for all vessel types and sizes, and all mariners in those waters are directed to stay in port or immediately seek safe harbor if already at sea.
Wave heights of up to 4.5 meters are expected along the northern seaboard of the Babuyan Islands. Up to 4.0 meters are forecast along the remaining Babuyan seaboards, the northeastern seaboard of mainland Cagayan, and the northern seaboard of Ilocos Norte. The northern seaboard of Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur face seas reaching up to 3.5 meters.
Seas of up to 3.0 meters are expected along the remaining seaboards of mainland Cagayan, the western seaboard of Pangasinan, the seaboards of Isabela and northern Aurora, and the northern and eastern seaboards of Catanduanes. PAGASA reiterated that operators of small watercraft, including all types of motorbancas, should not put out to sea under rough conditions — especially those who are inexperienced or operating poorly equipped vessels.
Moderate to Rough Seas Across a Broader Swath
Moderate to rough seas reaching up to 2.5 meters are forecast along the remaining seaboards of Aurora and Pangasinan, the seaboards of La Union and Eastern Samar, the northern and eastern seaboards of Polillo Islands, the northern seaboards of Camarines Norte and Camarines Sur, the eastern seaboards of Albay, Sorsogon, Dinagat Islands, Siargao-Bucas Grande Islands, and Surigao del Sur, as well as the northern seaboard of the Kalayaan Islands, according to PAGASA.
Seas of up to 2.0 meters are expected along the seaboards of Zambales and Lubang Islands, and the western seaboards of Batangas, Cavite, Occidental Mindoro, and Palawan including the Calamian Islands, as well as the remaining Kalayaan Islands seaboards. PAGASA advised motorbanca operators and similarly sized vessel crews to take precautionary measures and avoid navigating under these sea states where possible.
Projected Track: Exit PAR, Then Rapid Weakening
PAGASA's 12-hour forecast positions Rosal's center approximately 620 kilometers north of Itbayat, Batanes — already outside PAR — by 2:00 PM Saturday, October 24, moving north-northeast at 20 km/h with maximum sustained winds still at typhoon strength of 120 km/h.
By 2:00 AM Sunday, October 25, the storm center is projected to be 840 kilometers north-northeast of extreme northern Luzon, also outside PAR, with maximum sustained winds falling to 95 km/h — reducing Rosal to Severe Tropical Storm category. PAGASA said rapid weakening is anticipated once the storm moves over the East China Sea, and a potential downgrade to severe tropical storm may occur by Sunday.
The agency cautioned that the actual track may deviate within the bounds of the forecast confidence cone, and that heavy rainfall and severe winds could still affect localities outside the projected path.
Public Advisories and Next Bulletin
PAGASA urged the public and local disaster risk reduction and management offices to take all necessary precautions to protect life and property. Residents in areas highly susceptible to weather-related hazards were advised to heed evacuation orders and directives from local government authorities.
The public was also directed by PAGASA to monitor heavy rainfall warnings, thunderstorm advisories, and severe weather bulletins issued by their respective local PAGASA Regional Services Division offices. The next tropical cyclone bulletin was scheduled for release at 11:00 AM Saturday, October 24, 2026.
Source: breakingnewsnegros.com / PAGASA Tropical Cyclone Bulletin No. 16