Super Typhoon Rosal (international name: Champi) continued to weaken Thursday morning as it moved west-northwestward over the Philippine Sea east of Batanes, with PAGASA forecasting the storm will exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) by Thursday evening or early Saturday morning.
As of 10:00 AM on Thursday, October 22, 2026, the center of Rosal's eye was located approximately 400 kilometres east of Basco, Batanes, at coordinates 20.4°N, 125.8°E, according to PAGASA's Tropical Cyclone Bulletin No. 9 issued at 11:00 AM.
Current Strength and Wind Extent
PAGASA reported maximum sustained winds of 185 km/h near the center, with gustiness reaching up to 230 km/h and a central pressure of 925 hPa. The storm was moving west-northwestward at 20 km/h at the time of the bulletin.
Tropical cyclone winds — ranging from strong to typhoon-force — extended outward up to 780 kilometres from the center, according to the agency.
Forecast Track: Curving Away from Luzon
PAGASA said Rosal will continue moving generally northwestward through Thursday night before turning north-northwestward by Friday morning. The storm is then forecast to recurve north-northeastward by Saturday, October 24.
On its forecast track, the typhoon will be 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 northwest at that point.
By 8:00 AM on Friday, October 23, the center is forecast at 300 km northeast of Itbayat with maximum sustained winds of 165 km/h. By 8:00 AM Saturday, October 24, it is expected to be 595 km north of Itbayat — already outside PAR — with winds of 130 km/h.
Weakening Continues Through the Weekend
PAGASA said Rosal will continue to gradually weaken and may be downgraded from super typhoon to typhoon category within Thursday. By Saturday, the storm is forecast to begin rapidly weakening and may be further downgraded to a severe tropical storm, with winds of 110 km/h by 8:00 PM that day at a position 865 km north-northeast of Extreme Northern Luzon.
Wind Signals Over Northern Luzon
Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2 (gale-force winds of 62–88 km/h, Beaufort 8–9) is in effect over Batanes and the northeastern portion of the Babuyan Islands, representing a minor to moderate threat to life and property, according to the bulletin.
Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 (strong winds of 39–61 km/h, Beaufort 6–7) covers the rest of the Babuyan Islands, mainland Cagayan, the eastern portion of Isabela (including Maconacon, Divilacan, Palanan, Santa Maria, Cabagan, Delfin Albano, Santo Tomas, Tumauini, San Pablo, Ilagan City, San Mariano, and Dinapigue), Ilocos Norte, and Apayao.
PAGASA noted that Wind Signal No. 3 remains the highest signal likely to be raised during Rosal's passage, and only over Batanes. However, the agency added that if Rosal tracks more north-northwestward, hoisting of Signal No. 3 will become less likely.
Strong Gusts Expected Across Luzon and Parts of Visayas and Mindanao
Beyond the wind signal areas, the northeasterly windflow and the periphery of Rosal will bring strong to gale-force gusts to a wide swath of the country over the coming days, PAGASA said.
On Thursday, October 22, most of Luzon and Visayas are affected, 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 affected areas include most of Luzon and Visayas, Zamboanga del Norte, Misamis Occidental, Camiguin, Davao Occidental, and Davao Oriental.
By Saturday, October 24, residual gust impacts are expected over Batanes, the Babuyan Islands, Ilocos Norte, the Polillo Islands, the Bicol Region, Romblon, Capiz, Iloilo, and Negros Occidental.
Dangerous Seas Along Northern and Eastern Luzon Coasts
A Gale Warning — Gale Warning No. 4, issued at 5:00 AM Thursday — remains in effect over the northern and eastern seaboards of Luzon, PAGASA said.
Wave heights along the northern and eastern seaboards of Batanes may reach up to 12.0 metres. The Babuyan Islands and the remaining seaboard of Batanes face seas up to 9.0 metres, while the northeastern seaboard of mainland Cagayan may see waves up to 9.0 metres and the remaining Cagayan seaboard up to 7.0 metres.
PAGASA warned that sea travel is risky for all types and tonnages of vessels in the most affected waters, and that all mariners must remain in port or seek shelter immediately. Mariners of small craft, including all types of motorbancas, were advised not to venture out to sea in areas with rough seas, particularly if inexperienced or operating ill-equipped vessels.
Next Bulletin at 5:00 PM Thursday
PAGASA said the next tropical cyclone bulletin will be issued at 5:00 PM on Thursday, October 22. The agency reminded the public that heavy rainfall and severe winds may still be experienced in localities outside the landfall point and the forecast confidence cone, and that persons living in areas highly susceptible to storm hazards should follow evacuation and other instructions from local officials.
For heavy rainfall warnings and thunderstorm advisories specific to each area, PAGASA directed the public to monitor products issued by local PAGASA Regional Services Divisions. A separate heavy rainfall outlook, Weather Advisory No. 8, was also issued at 11:00 AM Thursday.
Photo credit: Photo courtesy of DOST-PAGASA