Typhoon Rosal (international name: Champi) weakened slightly while positioned over the sea east of Taiwan early Saturday, October 24, 2026, and is forecast to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) before heading toward the East China Sea, according to PAGASA Tropical Cyclone Bulletin No. 16 issued at 5:00 AM.
As of 4:00 AM Saturday, the center of Typhoon Rosal was estimated at 420 kilometers north of Itbayat, Batanes, at coordinates 24.5°N, 122.6°E, moving southwestward at 10 kilometers per hour.
Storm Intensity and Wind Reach
PAGASA reported that Rosal was packing maximum sustained winds of 150 km/h near the center, with gustiness of up to 185 km/h and a central pressure of 955 hectopascals at the time of the bulletin.
Strong to typhoon-force winds extend outward up to 850 kilometers from the center, a broad wind field that continues to affect portions of Luzon's northern and eastern seaboards even as the storm tracks away from the Philippine landmass.
Batanes Placed Under Wind Signal No. 1
The sole Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal in effect as of the 5:00 AM bulletin is Wind Signal No. 1 over the province of Batanes, according to PAGASA. No wind signals are currently raised over any area in the Visayas or Mindanao.
Wind Signal No. 1 warns of strong winds with speeds ranging from 39 to 61 km/h — equivalent to Beaufort Scale 6 to 7 — with a warning lead time of 36 hours. PAGASA characterized the potential impact on life and property within Signal No. 1 areas as minimal to minor.
Strong Gusts to Affect Parts of Luzon and Visayas on Saturday
Even outside the wind signal zone, PAGASA warned that the periphery of Rosal will bring strong to gale-force gusts on Saturday, October 24, particularly in coastal and upland or mountainous areas exposed to winds. Areas expected to experience these conditions include the Babuyan Islands, Ilocos Norte, Aurora, northern Quezon, Polillo Islands, Bicol Region, Romblon, Capiz, Iloilo, and Negros Occidental.
On Sunday, October 25, strong gusts are expected to persist over Batanes and the Babuyan Islands. PAGASA noted that local winds may be slightly stronger in coastal and elevated areas exposed to the prevailing wind direction, while areas sheltered from those winds will experience comparatively lighter conditions.
Dangerous Seas Along Northern Luzon Seaboards
A Gale Warning remains in effect over the seaboards of Northern Luzon under Gale Warning No. 8, also issued at 5:00 AM Saturday, according to PAGASA.
The 24-hour sea condition outlook details hazardous wave heights across several coastal areas. The seaboards of Batanes face the most severe conditions, with seas forecast to reach up to 5.5 meters — conditions under which PAGASA says sea travel is risky for all types and tonnages of vessels. All mariners in those waters are directed to remain in port or, if already underway, to seek shelter or safe harbor immediately.
Wave heights of up to 4.5 meters are forecast along the northern seaboard of the Babuyan Islands, with up to 4.0 meters along the remaining Babuyan seaboards and the northeastern seaboard of mainland Cagayan and the northern seaboard of Ilocos Norte. The northern seaboard of Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur face seas of up to 3.5 meters, while Ilocos Sur's seaboard is also included in that range.
Seas of up to 3.0 meters are expected along the remaining seaboards of mainland Cagayan, the western seaboard of Pangasinan, the seaboards of Isabela and northern Aurora, and the northern and eastern seaboards of Catanduanes.
PAGASA advises that mariners of small seacrafts — including all types of motorbancas — should not venture out to sea under rough sea conditions, especially those who are inexperienced or operating ill-equipped vessels.
Moderate-to-Rough Seas Across a Wider Area
Moderate to rough seas of up to 2.5 meters are forecast along the remaining seaboards of Aurora and Pangasinan, the seaboards of La Union and Eastern Samar, the northern and eastern seaboards of Polillo Islands, the northern seaboards of Camarines Norte and Camarines Sur, the eastern seaboards of Albay, Sorsogon, Dinagat Islands, the Siargao-Bucas Grande Islands, and Surigao del Sur, as well as the northern seaboard of the Kalayaan Islands.
Seas of up to 2.0 meters are expected along the seaboards of Zambales and Lubang Islands, and the western seaboards of Batangas, Cavite, Occidental Mindoro, and Palawan including the Calamian Islands, and the remaining seaboards of the Kalayaan Islands. PAGASA advised mariners of motorbancas and similarly sized vessels to take precautionary measures and, where possible, avoid navigation under these conditions.
Track Forecast: Rosal to Exit PAR, Rapid Weakening Expected
PAGASA's 12-hour forecast places Rosal's center at approximately 620 kilometers north of Itbayat, Batanes — outside PAR — by 2:00 PM Saturday, October 24, moving north-northeast at 20 km/h with maximum sustained winds of 120 km/h, still at typhoon category.
By the 24-hour forecast point at 2:00 AM Sunday, October 25, the storm's center is projected at 840 kilometers north-northeast of extreme northern Luzon, also outside PAR, with maximum sustained winds dropping to 95 km/h — a downgrade to Severe Tropical Storm category.
According to PAGASA, Rosal completed a counterclockwise loop over the sea east of Taiwan before beginning to gradually accelerate north-northeastward. The agency said rapid weakening will begin as the storm moves over the East China Sea, and it may be downgraded to a severe tropical storm by Sunday, October 25.
PAGASA also cautioned that the track may still shift within the limits of the forecast confidence cone, and that heavy rainfall and severe winds may still be felt in localities outside the projected landfall point and the confidence cone.
Advice to the Public and Local Authorities
PAGASA urged the public and disaster risk reduction and management offices to take all necessary measures to protect life and property. Persons living in areas identified as highly or very highly susceptible to hazards are advised to follow evacuation orders and other instructions from local officials.
The agency also directed the public to monitor heavy rainfall warnings, thunderstorm and rainfall advisories, and other severe weather information issued by their respective local PAGASA Regional Services Division offices.
The next tropical cyclone bulletin was scheduled for release at 11:00 AM Saturday, October 24, 2026.
Photo courtesy of DOST-PAGASA