Moving north-northwestward over the sea east of Taiwan, Typhoon Rosal (internationally known as Champi) was recorded 460 kilometres north of Itbayat, Batanes, at 10:00 PM on Friday, October 23, 2026, packing maximum sustained winds of 155 km/h near its centre and gusts of up to 190 km/h. The data came from PAGASA Tropical Cyclone Bulletin No. 15, released at 11:00 PM the same night.
The typhoon's central pressure was at 950 hPa, and it was travelling at 25 km/h. PAGASA said the system is forecast to leave the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) by Saturday morning, October 24.
Batanes Remains Under Wind Signal No. 1
As of the 11:00 PM bulletin, PAGASA kept Batanes under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1, covering areas where strong winds between 39 and 61 km/h — equivalent to Beaufort Scale 6 to 7 — are expected within 36 hours. The agency described the threat to life and property under this signal level as minimal to minor.
No other province in Luzon, the Visayas, or Mindanao was placed under any wind signal as of the same bulletin, PAGASA said.
Gale-Force Gusts Affecting Wide Areas Over Two Days
Although wind signals are limited to Batanes, PAGASA warned that the outer winds of Rosal will still produce strong to gale-force gusts across broad sections of the country over the following two days, particularly in coastal and exposed upland areas.
On Friday, October 23, most of Luzon and the Visayas were among the areas expected to experience these gusts, along with Zamboanga Peninsula, Misamis Occidental, Basilan, Tawi-Tawi, Davao Occidental, and Davao Oriental, according to PAGASA.
By Saturday, October 24, the affected areas will narrow to Batanes, Babuyan Islands, Ilocos Norte, Aurora, northern Quezon, Polillo Islands, the Bicol Region, Romblon, Capiz, Iloilo, and Negros Occidental. On Sunday, October 25, gale-force gusts will be confined to Batanes and Babuyan Islands as the typhoon continues moving away from the Philippine landmass, the agency added.
Extremely Hazardous Seas Off Northern Luzon
A Gale Warning remains active over the seaboards of Northern Luzon, as stated in Gale Warning No. 7 issued at 5:00 PM on Friday, October 23, PAGASA said.
In its 24-hour sea condition outlook, the agency forecast wave heights of up to 8.0 metres off the northern seaboard of Batanes — described as extremely hazardous. The remaining seaboards of Batanes and the northern seaboard of Babuyan Islands are forecast to see waves of up to 6.0 metres, while seas of up to 5.0 metres are expected along the remaining seaboards of Babuyan Islands, the northern seaboard of Ilocos Norte, and the northeastern seaboard of mainland Cagayan.
Wave heights of up to 4.5 metres are forecast for the remaining seaboards of Ilocos Norte and mainland Cagayan, and the northern seaboard of Ilocos Sur. PAGASA warned that sea travel under these conditions is dangerous for all vessel types and tonnages, and directed all mariners to stay in port or immediately seek safe harbour if already at sea.
Rough to Moderate Seas Extending South and East
Seas of up to 4.0 metres are expected along the remaining seaboards of Ilocos Sur, northern La Union, northern Isabela, and the northwestern seaboard of Pangasinan. Wave heights reaching 3.5 metres are forecast for the northern seaboard of Aurora, the northern seaboards of Camarines Norte and Camarines Sur, and the northern and eastern seaboards of Catanduanes and Northern Samar, as well as the eastern seaboard of Eastern Samar, according to PAGASA.
Seas of up to 3.0 metres are expected along Zambales, the remaining seaboards of Aurora, Polillo Islands, and the eastern seaboards of Albay, Sorsogon, Dinagat Islands, Siargao-Bucas Grande Islands, and Surigao del Sur. The agency advised that small seacraft operators — including motorbanca operators — should not venture out under such conditions, especially those who are inexperienced or operating ill-equipped vessels.
Moderate to rough seas of up to 2.5 metres are forecast along the western seaboards of Bataan and Lubang Islands, the remaining seaboards of La Union and Pangasinan, and the eastern seaboard of Davao Oriental. Waves of up to 2.0 metres are expected along the western seaboards of Batangas, Cavite, Occidental Mindoro, and Palawan including the Calamian Islands, the remaining seaboards of Lubang Islands, and the northern seaboard of the Kalayaan Islands. PAGASA advised mariners of motorbancas and similarly sized vessels in these areas to take precautionary measures and avoid navigation if possible.
Typhoon to Loop Before Tracking Toward Japan
PAGASA's track and intensity outlook states that Rosal will execute a counterclockwise loop while remaining over the sea east of Taiwan, then slowly move northward before exiting PAR by Saturday morning, October 24, after which it will accelerate northward toward Japan.
The agency said Rosal is expected to weaken gradually over the next 12 hours. Once it reaches the East China Sea, rapid weakening will set in, and the system may be downgraded to a severe tropical storm by Saturday, October 24, according to PAGASA.
Forecast Positions: 12 and 24 Hours Out
At the 12-hour forecast position — 8:00 AM on Saturday, October 24 — PAGASA projects Rosal to be approximately 520 kilometres north of Itbayat, Batanes, already outside PAR, with maximum sustained winds of 130 km/h and moving northward slowly, still at typhoon strength.
By the 24-hour mark — 8:00 PM on Saturday, October 24 — the system is expected to be 725 kilometres north of Itbayat, Batanes, outside PAR, with winds reduced to 100 km/h, downgraded to a severe tropical storm, and moving northward at 15 km/h, PAGASA's bulletin states.
Precautionary Measures Urged
PAGASA advised the public and local disaster risk reduction and management offices to take all necessary steps to protect lives and property. Residents in areas identified as highly or very highly susceptible to typhoon hazards were urged to heed evacuation orders and other instructions from their local officials.
The agency also noted that heavy rainfall and strong winds may still be felt in areas outside the forecast confidence cone, and that the typhoon's track may still shift within the limits of that cone. PAGASA directed the public to monitor severe weather advisories, thunderstorm and rainfall warnings, and other bulletins from local PAGASA Regional Services Division offices. The next tropical cyclone bulletin was scheduled for release at 5:00 AM on Saturday, October 24, 2026.
Source: Originally reported by breakingnewsnegor.com (Balita)