Super Typhoon Rosal (international name: Champi) has prompted PAGASA to hoist Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 over several areas in northern and southern Luzon, according to Tropical Cyclone Bulletin No. 1 issued by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, October 20, 2026.
As of 10:00 AM Tuesday, the eye of Super Typhoon Rosal was located 1,385 kilometres east of Central Luzon, at coordinates 16.1°N, 135.1°E — still outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR). The storm is moving west northwestward at 25 km/h.
Storm Intensity at First Bulletin
PAGASA recorded maximum sustained winds of 185 km/h near the centre, with gustiness reaching up to 230 km/h and a central pressure of 940 hPa. Tropical cyclone winds extend outward up to 720 kilometres from the centre.
PAGASA noted that further intensification remains possible as Rosal continues moving over the Philippine Sea. The agency forecasts the storm will maintain Super Typhoon strength before gradually weakening.
Areas Under Wind Signal No. 1
Wind Signal No. 1 — indicating strong winds of 39 to 61 km/h with minimal to minor threat to life and property — is currently in effect over the following areas in Luzon:
- Batanes
- Eastern portion of Babuyan Islands (Babuyan Is., Camiguin Is., Didicas Is.)
- Eastern portion of mainland Cagayan (Santa Ana, Gonzaga, Lal-Lo, Santa Teresita, Camalaniugan, Aparri, Buguey, Gattaran, Baggao, Peñablanca)
- Northeastern portion of Isabela (Maconacon, Divilacan, Palanan, San Pablo, Cabagan, Santa Maria, Tumauini, Ilagan City)
- Northeastern portion of Catanduanes (Pandan, Bagamanoc, Panganiban, Viga, Gigmoto)
No wind signals have been raised over Visayas or Mindanao as of this bulletin. The warning lead time for Signal No. 1 areas is 36 hours. PAGASA said the highest wind signal that may be raised during the passage of Rosal is Signal No. 2 or 3.
Forecast Track: West Northwest, Then Turning North
According to PAGASA's track and intensity forecast, Rosal will continue moving west northwestward until Wednesday, October 21, before shifting generally northwestward through Friday morning, October 23. On Friday afternoon, the storm is expected to turn north northwestward to northward, exiting PAR by Friday evening or early Saturday, October 24.
The forecast positions show the storm intensifying to 205 km/h maximum sustained winds by 8:00 PM Tuesday and maintaining that strength through Wednesday morning before gradually weakening. By Thursday, October 22 at 8:00 AM, sustained winds are forecast at 185 km/h; by Saturday, October 25 at 8:00 AM, the storm — then projected to be 1,045 km north-northeast of extreme northern Luzon and outside PAR — is expected to have weakened to Severe Tropical Storm category with 110 km/h sustained winds.
PAGASA cautioned that the track may still shift within the forecast confidence cone, and that heavy rainfall and severe winds may be experienced in localities outside the projected landfall point.
Strong Gusts Expected Across Wider Areas Tuesday to Thursday
Beyond the formal wind signal areas, PAGASA warned that the Northeasterly Windflow combined with Rosal's periphery will bring strong to gale-force gusts — particularly in coastal and upland areas — across a broad swath of the country over the next three days.
On Tuesday, October 20, these conditions are expected over Batanes, Ilocos Norte, Cagayan, Isabela, Polillo Islands, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, most of Caraga, Camiguin, Misamis Oriental, Sarangani, Davao del Sur, and Davao Occidental.
On Wednesday, October 21, the affected areas expand to include the Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, Cagayan Valley, Bicol Region, Romblon, Eastern Visayas, Iloilo, Guimaras, Negros Occidental, Siquijor, Bohol, Northern Mindanao, Caraga, Davao Region, Sarangani, and Zamboanga del Norte.
By Thursday, October 22, PAGASA said strong gusts are expected over most of the country.
PAGASA also said a weather advisory may be issued Tuesday afternoon in anticipation of heavy rains due to Rosal, and a Gale Warning may be issued Tuesday afternoon or evening over the northern and eastern seaboards of Northern Luzon and the eastern seaboards of Southern Luzon.
Dangerous Sea Conditions Along Northern and Eastern Coasts
PAGASA's 24-hour sea condition outlook warns of very rough to rough seas along multiple seaboards. The northern and eastern seaboards of Catanduanes face the most severe conditions, with wave heights forecast up to 4.5 metres — conditions under which sea travel is risky for all vessel types and all mariners are directed to remain in port or seek safe harbour immediately.
Wave heights of up to 4.0 metres are forecast for the seaboard of Isabela; the eastern seaboards of Batanes, Babuyan Islands, and mainland Cagayan; and the northern seaboards of Camarines Norte and Camarines Sur, as well as the northern and eastern seaboards of Northern Samar and Eastern Samar. Mariners of small seacrafts and motorbancas are advised not to venture out to sea under these conditions.
Moderate to rough seas of up to 2.5 metres are forecast for the seaboard of Surigao del Sur and the eastern seaboard of Davao Oriental. Seas of up to 2.0 metres are expected along the seaboards of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Surigao del Norte, Davao Occidental, and several seaboards of Quezon, Camarines Sur, Polillo Islands, Dinagat Islands, and the Siargao-Bucas Grande Island Group. Mariners of motorbancas and similarly sized vessels are advised to take precautionary measures and, if possible, avoid navigation under these conditions.
Next Bulletin and Public Advisory
The next Tropical Cyclone Bulletin on Rosal is scheduled for release at 5:00 PM on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, according to PAGASA.
PAGASA urged the public and disaster risk reduction and management offices to take all necessary measures to protect life and property. Persons in areas highly susceptible to typhoon hazards are advised to follow evacuation and other instructions from local officials. For heavy rainfall warnings and other area-specific severe weather information, PAGASA directed residents to monitor advisories from their local PAGASA Regional Services Division.
Photo credit: Photo from PAGASA / pagasa.dost.gov.ph