Super Typhoon Champi to enter Philippine waters as Rosal

Super Typhoon Champi is on track to enter the Philippine area of responsibility on Tuesday, October 20, according to the country's weather agency. Upon crossing into Philippine jurisdiction, the storm will be assigned the local name Rosal.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration issued the advisory in its 5 a.m. bulletin on Sunday. The agency warned that the approaching tropical cyclone poses significant risks to residents in northern Luzon and Bicol, with strong winds and heavy rainfall expected across these regions.

As a super typhoon, Champi represents one of the most severe classifications in the typhoon scale, indicating potentially catastrophic conditions. Authorities have advised residents in vulnerable areas to prepare for the storm's impact and to heed evacuation orders if issued.

The Philippines faces frequent typhoons during the October to December period, with multiple storms typically affecting the archipelago during the tail end of the monsoon season. Residents and local government units in affected areas are expected to activate their disaster preparedness protocols in anticipation of the storm's arrival.

Photo: Satellite image of Typhoon Champi southwest of Guam, 17 October 2026 (UTC). NASA Terra MODIS imagery via Wikimedia Commons (public domain).