Moving steadily west-northwestward over the Philippine Sea, Super Typhoon Rosal — carrying the international name Champi — continued to gain strength Tuesday night, October 20, 2026, as PAGASA placed portions of Northern Luzon under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 effective 11:00 PM.
Location and Current Intensity
Based on a 10:00 PM observation cited in PAGASA's Tropical Cyclone Bulletin No. 3, the typhoon's eye was positioned at coordinates 17.0°N, 132.5°E — roughly 1,110 kilometres east of Central Luzon and 1,150 kilometres east of Northern Luzon. The agency recorded maximum sustained winds of 215 km/h near the center, gusts of up to 265 km/h, and a central pressure of 910 hPa. Rosal was tracking west-northwest at 25 km/h, with cyclone-force winds spreading outward as far as 780 kilometres from the eye.
PAGASA said further strengthening is possible within the next 12 hours. By 8:00 AM Wednesday, October 21, the agency projects Rosal will have reached sustained winds of 220 km/h while sitting approximately 930 kilometres east of Northern Luzon.
Projected Path Toward Extreme Northern Luzon
According to PAGASA's track and intensity forecast, Rosal will continue on a west-northwest heading through Wednesday before shifting generally northwestward through Friday morning, October 23. The super typhoon is expected to come nearest to Extreme Northern Luzon between Thursday, October 22, and Friday, October 23.
The agency's bulletin outlines the following projected center positions and intensities:
- 8:00 AM, Oct. 21 (Wed.): 930 km east of Northern Luzon — sustained winds 220 km/h (Super Typhoon)
- 8:00 PM, Oct. 21 (Wed.): 720 km east of Calayan, Cagayan — 215 km/h (Super Typhoon)
- 8:00 AM, Oct. 22 (Thu.): 485 km east of Basco, Batanes — 205 km/h (Super Typhoon)
- 8:00 PM, Oct. 22 (Thu.): 390 km east-northeast of Itbayat, Batanes — 195 km/h (Super Typhoon)
- 8:00 AM, Oct. 23 (Fri.): 355 km northeast of Itbayat, Batanes — 175 km/h (Typhoon)
- 8:00 PM, Oct. 23 (Fri.): 450 km north-northeast of Itbayat, Batanes — 155 km/h (Typhoon)
- 8:00 PM, Oct. 24 (Sat.): 820 km north-northeast of Extreme Northern Luzon — 130 km/h (Typhoon, outside PAR)
PAGASA added that Rosal is expected to curve generally northward after Friday before exiting the Philippine Area of Responsibility by Friday evening or early Saturday morning, October 24. The agency cautioned that the track may still shift within the bounds of the forecast confidence cone.
Areas Under Wind Signal No. 1
As of the 11:00 PM bulletin, PAGASA has placed the following areas under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1, which carries a 36-hour warning lead time and signals a minimal-to-minor threat to life and property:
- Batanes (entire province)
- Babuyan Islands
- Ilocos Norte (northern portion: Pagudpud)
- Mainland Cagayan (northern and eastern portions: Santa Ana, Gonzaga, Lal-Lo, Santa Teresita, Camalaniugan, Aparri, Buguey, Gattaran, Baggao, Peñablanca, Santa Praxedes, Claveria, Sanchez-Mira, Pamplona, Ballesteros, Abulug, Allacapan)
- Isabela (northeastern portion: Maconacon, Divilacan, Palanan)
- Catanduanes (northeastern portion: Pandan, Bagamanoc, Panganiban, Viga, Gigmoto)
The agency noted the highest wind signal likely to be raised during Rosal's passage is Wind Signal No. 2 or 3.
Strong to Gale-Force Winds Across Wider Regions
Outside the wind-signal zones, PAGASA said the combined effects of the Northeasterly Windflow and Rosal's outer circulation will produce strong to gale-force gusts in coastal and upland areas across a wider portion of the country in the coming days.
On Tuesday, October 20, those conditions were already being felt across Batanes, Ilocos Norte, Cagayan, Isabela, the Polillo Islands, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, and the Siargao-Bucas Grande Islands.
By Wednesday, October 21, the agency forecasts strong to gale-force gusts over the Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, Cagayan Valley, the Polillo Islands, Bicol Region, Romblon, Eastern Visayas, Iloilo, Guimaras, Negros Occidental, Siquijor, Bohol, Northern Mindanao, Caraga, the Davao Region, Sarangani, and Zamboanga del Norte.
On Thursday, October 22, PAGASA projects those conditions will extend across most of Luzon and Visayas, as well as Zamboanga del Norte, Northern Mindanao, Surigao del Norte, Dinagat Islands, Sarangani, Davao Occidental, and Davao Oriental.
Gale Warning Issued for Luzon Seaboards
PAGASA issued Gale Warning No. 1 at 5:00 PM Tuesday, covering the seaboards of Extreme Northern Luzon and the eastern seaboards of Northern and Southern Luzon. The agency's 24-hour sea outlook warns of very rough to rough seas in multiple coastal waters.
Waves reaching up to 6.0 metres are forecast along the seaboards of Batanes and Isabela, and the eastern seaboards of Cagayan including the Babuyan Islands. Waves of up to 5.0 metres are expected along the remaining seaboards of Batanes and mainland Cagayan, and along the northern and eastern seaboards of Catanduanes.
The agency advised all mariners in very rough sea zones to remain in port or seek safe harbour immediately, and warned operators of small watercraft — including all types of motorbancas — against venturing out in waters with waves of up to 4.0 metres.
Rosal Expected to Weaken by Thursday
PAGASA forecasts that Rosal will begin weakening on Thursday, October 22, and is expected to drop from super typhoon to typhoon category by Friday morning, October 23. The agency stressed, however, that communities outside the direct path of the storm may still experience severe winds and heavy rainfall.
DOST-PAGASA urged the public and local disaster risk reduction and management offices to take all necessary precautions. Residents in areas identified as highly or very highly susceptible to hazards are directed to comply with evacuation orders and other instructions from local officials.
Specific heavy rainfall warnings were covered under Weather Advisory No. 2, also released at 11:00 PM Tuesday. PAGASA scheduled its next tropical cyclone bulletin for 5:00 AM on Wednesday, October 21.
Source: DOST-PAGASA / breakingnewsnegror.com