At 4:00 AM on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, Super Typhoon Rosal — known internationally as Champi — was bearing down on the Philippine Area of Responsibility from 990 kilometres east of Northern Luzon, with maximum sustained winds of 215 km/h and gusts reaching 265 km/h, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) reported in Tropical Cyclone Bulletin No. 4 at 5:00 AM.
PAGASA fixed the storm's center at coordinates 17.6°N, 131.1°E, with central pressure recorded at 900 hectopascals. The typhoon was moving west northwestward at 30 km/h, with destructive winds extending as far as 780 kilometres from its eye.
Wind Signal No. 1 Covers Northern and Eastern Localities
As of the 5:00 AM bulletin, Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1 was in effect over Batanes, Babuyan Islands, and mainland Cagayan, according to PAGASA. Coverage also included selected eastern municipalities of Isabela — Maconacon, Divilacan, Palanan, Santa Maria, Cabagan, Delfin Albano, Santo Tomas, Tumauini, San Pablo, Ilagan City, San Mariano, and Dinapigue — along with the northern and central portions of Apayao (Calanasan, Luna, Santa Marcela, Flora, Pudtol, and Kabugao), the northeastern portion of Ilocos Norte (Pagudpud and Adams), and the northeastern portion of Catanduanes (Pandan, Bagamanoc, Panganiban, Viga, and Gigmoto).
PAGASA said Signal No. 1 carries a 36-hour warning lead time, with expected wind speeds of 39 to 61 km/h (Beaufort Scale 6 to 7), characterised as posing a "minimal to minor threat to life and property." The agency added that the highest wind signal likely to be raised during Rosal's passage is Signal No. 2 or 3.
Track Forecast: Closest Approach Thursday to Friday
PAGASA's track and intensity forecast shows Rosal continuing west northwestward through Wednesday before shifting northwestward until Friday morning, October 23, then recurving northeastward by Sunday, October 25.
The typhoon is expected to make its closest approach to Extreme Northern Luzon between Thursday afternoon, October 22, and Friday afternoon, October 23. PAGASA projects the storm will exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility by Friday evening or early Saturday morning, October 24.
By 2:00 PM on October 21, PAGASA placed the storm's center 790 kilometres east of Aparri, Cagayan, still at super typhoon intensity with 215 km/h winds. At 2:00 AM on October 22, the system is forecast to be 550 kilometres east of Basco, Batanes, carrying winds of 205 km/h — still within super typhoon category but slightly reduced.
The agency further projects that by 2:00 PM on October 22, Rosal will have weakened to typhoon category with 175 km/h winds, positioned 405 kilometres east of Itbayat, Batanes. By 2:00 AM on October 25, the system is expected to be 970 kilometres north-northeast of Extreme Northern Luzon and outside PAR, downgraded to a severe tropical storm carrying winds of 110 km/h.
Brief Intensification Window Before Gradual Weakening
PAGASA said further intensification is possible within the next six hours as Rosal continues tracking over the Philippine Sea. Following that window, a weakening trend is expected to take hold, with the system forecast to drop to typhoon category by Thursday and to severe tropical storm by Sunday, October 25.
The agency cautioned that heavy rainfall and severe winds may still affect localities well outside the direct landfall point and the forecast confidence cone, and that the track may shift within the cone's limits.
Gale-Force Gusts to Affect Wide Swath of the Country
Even in areas not under any wind signal, PAGASA warned that the northeasterly windflow combined with Rosal's outer bands will generate strong to gale-force gusts in coastal and upland zones.
On Wednesday, October 21, these gusts are expected across the Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, Cagayan Valley, Bicol Region, Romblon, Eastern Visayas, Siquijor, Bohol, Northern Mindanao, Caraga, Davao Region, and Sarangani.
By Thursday, October 22, the threat will spread to most of Luzon and Visayas, as well as Zamboanga del Norte, Northern Mindanao, Agusan del Norte, Surigao del Norte, Dinagat Islands, Sarangani, Davao Occidental, and Davao Oriental, according to PAGASA.
On Friday, October 23, most of Luzon and Visayas will remain exposed to gusty conditions, together with Camiguin, Misamis Occidental, Lanao del Norte, Dinagat Islands, Davao Occidental, and Davao Oriental.
Gale Warning Flags Dangerous Seas Off Luzon and Visayas
Under Gale Warning No. 2 — also issued at 5:00 AM on October 21 — PAGASA placed a Gale Warning over the northern and eastern seaboards of Luzon and the eastern seaboard of Visayas.
Within the next 24 hours, PAGASA warned of seas reaching up to 8.0 metres off Batanes and the northern and eastern seaboards of Cagayan, including the Babuyan Islands. Waves of up to 6.0 metres are expected off the remaining seaboards of Cagayan and off Isabela, while seas of up to 5.0 metres are forecast off the eastern seaboard of northern Aurora and the northern and eastern seaboards of Catanduanes.
Waves of up to 4.5 metres are projected off the remaining seaboards of Aurora, the northern and eastern seaboards of Polillo Islands, the northern seaboards of Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, and Northern Samar, and the eastern seaboards of Albay and Sorsogon. PAGASA stated that "sea travel is risky for all types or tonnage of vessels" in these waters and urged all mariners to stay in port or seek immediate shelter.
Rough seas of up to 4.0 metres are forecast off the eastern seaboards of northern Quezon and Eastern Samar, the remaining seaboard of Northern Samar, and the northern seaboard of Ilocos Norte. Waves of up to 3.0 metres are expected off the eastern seaboards of Dinagat Islands, Siargao-Bucas Grande Island Group, and Davao Oriental, as well as the remaining seaboards of Catanduanes and Ilocos Norte. PAGASA advised operators of small seacrafts, including all types of motorbancas, not to go out to sea under these conditions.
Moderate to rough seas of up to 2.5 metres are expected off the seaboards of Ilocos Sur, La Union, Surigao del Sur, and Surigao del Norte, the southern seaboard of Davao Oriental, the remaining eastern seaboards of Quezon, and the northwestern seaboard of Pangasinan. Waves of up to 2.0 metres may also develop off the eastern seaboard of Davao Occidental.
PAGASA Calls for Immediate Protective Measures
PAGASA called on the public and local disaster risk reduction and management offices to "take all necessary measures to protect life and property." The agency specifically directed persons in areas highly or very highly susceptible to natural hazards to heed evacuation orders and other instructions from local government officials.
For localised heavy rainfall warnings, thunderstorm advisories, and other severe weather information, PAGASA referred the public to products issued by its Regional Services Divisions. Heavy rainfall specifics were contained in a separate Weather Advisory No. 3, likewise released at 5:00 AM on Wednesday.
The next tropical cyclone bulletin was scheduled for issuance at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, PAGASA announced.
Photo courtesy of DOST-PAGASA
Source: breakingnewsnegros.com (Balita)