Typhoon Rosal — known internationally as Champi — was bearing down on Extreme Northern Luzon Thursday afternoon, October 22, 2026, with PAGASA reporting maximum sustained winds of 165 km/h near the centre and gusts reaching up to 205 km/h as of its 5:00 PM Tropical Cyclone Bulletin No. 10.
At that time, the typhoon's centre was located 350 kilometres east of Itbayat, Batanes, moving northwestward at 15 km/h, according to PAGASA. The storm's central pressure was recorded at 940 hPa, with its tropical cyclone wind field extending up to 900 kilometres from the centre.
Storm at Its Closest to Northern Luzon Thursday Afternoon to Friday Morning
PAGASA said Rosal was at its nearest point to Extreme Northern Luzon between Thursday afternoon and Friday morning. The state weather bureau forecast the typhoon to continue tracking generally northwestward through Friday morning, before veering north-northwestward by Friday afternoon and recurving north-northeastward by Saturday, October 24.
Based on this projected track, PAGASA said Rosal is expected to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) by Friday evening or early Saturday morning.
Gradual Weakening Forecast as Rosal Moves Away
PAGASA's track and intensity forecast shows the typhoon losing strength progressively as it tracks away from the country. By 2:00 AM Friday, October 23 — the 12-hour mark — Rosal's centre is projected 285 kilometres east-northeast of Itbayat, still carrying typhoon-strength winds of 155 km/h.
At the 24-hour mark — 2:00 PM Friday — winds are expected to ease to 150 km/h, with the centre 360 kilometres north-northeast of Itbayat. By 2:00 AM Saturday, October 24, the storm's winds are forecast to drop to 130 km/h, with the centre 460 kilometres north of Itbayat.
PAGASA's bulletin shows Rosal is expected to weaken to severe tropical storm (STS) category — with winds of 110 km/h — by 2:00 PM Saturday, at which point the centre will be 675 kilometres north of Itbayat and already outside PAR. By 2:00 AM Sunday, October 25, the storm is projected 915 kilometres north-northeast of Extreme Northern Luzon, still outside PAR, with winds down to 95 km/h.
The agency noted that rapid weakening is forecast to begin by Saturday, when Rosal may be downgraded to a severe tropical storm. PAGASA also cautioned that the actual track may still shift within the bounds of the forecast confidence cone.
Batanes Under Signal No. 2; Northern Luzon Areas at Signal No. 1
As of the 5:00 PM bulletin, PAGASA placed Batanes and the northeastern portion of Babuyan Islands under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 2, corresponding to a 24-hour warning for gale-force winds of 62 to 88 km/h (Beaufort Scale 8 to 9), with minor to moderate threat to life and property.
TCWS No. 1 — covering strong winds of 39 to 61 km/h (Beaufort 6 to 7) with minimal to minor impacts — was hoisted over the remaining portions of Babuyan Islands, mainland Cagayan, the northeastern part of Isabela including Maconacon, Divilacan, Santa Maria, Cabagan, San Pablo, and Palanan, as well as Ilocos Norte and Apayao. A 36-hour warning lead time applies to Signal No. 1 areas.
PAGASA noted that Signal No. 3 may still be raised over Batanes at the height of Rosal's passage. However, the agency said that if the typhoon tracks more north-northwestward, the likelihood of Signal No. 3 being hoisted decreases.
Strong to Gale-Force Gusts to Sweep Luzon and Visayas Through Saturday
Driven by the northeasterly windflow and Rosal's outer periphery, PAGASA warned of strong to gale-force gusts affecting broad areas over three days, particularly along coastal and elevated terrain exposed to winds.
On Thursday, October 22, PAGASA said the affected areas include most of Luzon and Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, BARMM, Northern Mindanao, Davao Region, Agusan del Norte, Surigao del Norte, Dinagat Islands, and Sarangani. On Friday, October 23, most of Luzon and Visayas, Davao Region, Zamboanga del Norte, Misamis Occidental, and Camiguin are expected to experience such gusts. By Saturday, October 24, the affected zone narrows to Batanes, Babuyan Islands, Ilocos Norte, Polillo Islands, Bicol Region, Romblon, Capiz, Iloilo, and Negros Occidental.
Extremely Dangerous Seas Off Northern Luzon; All Vessels Ordered to Port
PAGASA issued a Gale Warning over the seaboard of Northern Luzon and the eastern seaboards of Central and Southern Luzon, directing the public to Gale Warning No. 5 released at 5:00 PM Thursday for full details.
In its 24-hour sea condition outlook, PAGASA warned of extremely dangerous wave heights near northern coasts: up to 12.0 metres off the northern and eastern seaboards of Batanes; up to 9.0 metres off Babuyan Islands, the remaining seaboard of Batanes, and the northeastern seaboard of mainland Cagayan; and up to 7.0 metres off the rest of mainland Cagayan's seaboard and northern Isabela.
Wave heights of up to 6.0 metres are forecast off the northern seaboard of Ilocos Norte, easing to up to 5.5 metres over the remaining seaboards of Ilocos Norte and Isabela. Seas off Ilocos Sur, northern Aurora, and the northern and eastern portions of Polillo Islands, Catanduanes, Camarines Norte, and Camarines Sur are forecast at up to 4.5 metres, according to PAGASA.
PAGASA said sea travel is risky for all vessel types and tonnage in areas with very rough to very high seas, and ordered all mariners to stay in port or, if already at sea, to seek shelter or safe harbour at once. Small craft operators — including motorbanca operators — are advised not to venture into areas expecting waves of up to 4.0 metres, covering northern La Union, the western seaboard of Pangasinan, and the northern seaboard of Northern Samar, among others. Moderate to rough seas of up to 2.5 metres are forecast for several western seaboards, including those of Bataan, Lubang Islands, and Surigao del Sur.
Public and DRRM Offices Urged to Take Protective Measures
DOST-PAGASA called on the public and all disaster risk reduction and management offices to implement necessary measures to safeguard lives and property. Residents in areas highly or very highly susceptible to hazards were specifically urged to heed evacuation orders and instructions from local authorities.
PAGASA also reminded the public that heavy rainfall and damaging winds may be experienced in localities beyond the landfall point and outside the forecast confidence cone. The agency directed the public to monitor heavy rainfall warnings and thunderstorm advisories issued by local PAGASA Regional Services Divisions for area-specific guidance.
The next tropical cyclone bulletin was scheduled for release at 11:00 PM Thursday, October 22, 2026, PAGASA said.
Source: DOST-PAGASA / breakingnewsnegor.com