Typhoon Rosal — known internationally as Champi — is gradually losing intensity as it tracks west-northwestward across the Philippine Sea, east of Batanes. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) expects the storm to clear the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) sometime between Thursday evening and early Saturday morning, October 23–24.
Storm Position and Current Intensity
Based on PAGASA's Tropical Cyclone Bulletin No. 9, released at 11:00 AM on Thursday, October 22, 2026, Rosal's center was situated roughly 400 kilometres east of Basco, Batanes, at coordinates 20.4°N, 125.8°E, as of 10:00 AM that same day.
PAGASA reported the typhoon's maximum sustained winds at 185 km/h near the center, with gusts climbing to 230 km/h and a central pressure of 925 hPa. At the time of the bulletin, the storm was advancing west-northwestward at 20 km/h. Tropical cyclone winds — ranging in strength from strong to typhoon-force — extended up to 780 kilometres outward from the center, the agency added.
Projected Path and Closest Approach to Luzon
According to PAGASA, Rosal will sustain a generally northwestward movement through Thursday night before shifting to a north-northwestward track by Friday morning. The storm is then expected to recurve north-northeastward by Saturday, October 24.
The typhoon will pass closest to Extreme Northern Luzon between Thursday afternoon and Friday morning. PAGASA placed the storm's center at 330 km east of Itbayat, Batanes by 8:00 PM Thursday, moving at 10 km/h in a northwestward direction at that point.
By 8:00 AM Friday, October 23, the center is forecast to be 300 km northeast of Itbayat, carrying maximum sustained winds of 165 km/h. By 8:00 AM Saturday, October 24, PAGASA projects the storm will be 595 km north of Itbayat — already beyond PAR — with winds down to 130 km/h.
Continued Weakening Into the Weekend
PAGASA said Rosal may be downgraded from super typhoon to typhoon category within Thursday itself as weakening continues. By Saturday, the agency forecasts the storm will begin rapidly losing strength, potentially dropping further to severe tropical storm status — with winds of 110 km/h — by 8:00 PM that day, when it is expected to be positioned 865 km north-northeast of Extreme Northern Luzon.
Active Wind Signals Over Northern Luzon
Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2, signifying gale-force winds of 62–88 km/h (Beaufort Scale 8–9) and a minor to moderate threat to life and property, is currently in effect over Batanes and the northeastern portion of the Babuyan Islands, according to PAGASA's bulletin.
Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1, covering strong winds of 39–61 km/h (Beaufort Scale 6–7), extends over the remainder of the Babuyan Islands, mainland Cagayan, the eastern portion of Isabela — including the municipalities of Maconacon, Divilacan, Palanan, Santa Maria, Cabagan, Delfin Albano, Santo Tomas, Tumauini, San Pablo, Ilagan City, San Mariano, and Dinapigue — as well as Ilocos Norte and Apayao.
PAGASA noted that Wind Signal No. 3 remains the highest level likely to be raised during Rosal's passage, and only over Batanes. The agency added, however, that should the storm track more north-northwestward, even the hoisting of Signal No. 3 becomes less probable.
Strong Gusts to Affect Luzon, Visayas, and Parts of Mindanao
Outside the wind signal zones, PAGASA said the northeasterly windflow combined with the outer bands of Rosal will produce strong to gale-force gusts across a broad stretch of the country over the coming days.
On Thursday, October 22, most of Luzon and Visayas will experience these conditions, along with Zamboanga Peninsula, the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), Northern Mindanao, Agusan del Norte, Surigao del Norte, Dinagat Islands, Sarangani, Davao Occidental, and Davao Oriental.
On Friday, October 23, the gust impacts will cover most of Luzon and Visayas, Zamboanga del Norte, Misamis Occidental, Camiguin, Davao Occidental, and Davao Oriental. By Saturday, October 24, residual gusts are expected over Batanes, the Babuyan Islands, Ilocos Norte, the Polillo Islands, the Bicol Region, Romblon, Capiz, Iloilo, and Negros Occidental.
Hazardous Seas Off Northern and Eastern Luzon
Gale Warning No. 4 — issued at 5:00 AM Thursday — remains active over the northern and eastern seaboards of Luzon, PAGASA said. Wave heights along the northern and eastern coasts of Batanes may reach up to 12.0 metres, while the Babuyan Islands and remaining Batanes seaboard face seas up to 9.0 metres. The northeastern seaboard of mainland Cagayan may see waves up to 9.0 metres, with the rest of the Cagayan seaboard seeing waves of up to 7.0 metres.
PAGASA warned that sea travel poses a risk to all vessel types and tonnages in the most affected waters, urging all mariners to remain in port or seek shelter without delay. Operators of small craft, including all types of motorbancas, were specifically advised not to venture out to sea — particularly those who are inexperienced or operating inadequately equipped vessels.
Updates and Public Safety Reminders
The next tropical cyclone bulletin was scheduled by PAGASA for release at 5:00 PM on Thursday, October 22. The agency reminded the public that heavy rainfall and destructive winds can still affect localities outside the direct path and the forecast confidence cone. Residents in areas vulnerable to storm hazards were urged to comply with evacuation orders and other directives from local authorities.
PAGASA also directed the public to monitor heavy rainfall warnings and thunderstorm advisories issued by local PAGASA Regional Services Divisions. A separate heavy rainfall outlook, Weather Advisory No. 8, was likewise released at 11:00 AM Thursday.
Source: Originally reported by breakingnewsnegror.com (Balita)