“We really can’t get any closer than what we had without having a direct hit and significant and catastrophic impacts of a super typhoon striking Guam,” said National Weather Service Meteorologist in Charge in a 9 a.m. press briefing on Sunday Morning, Oct. 18. Super Typhoon Champi continues to move quickly away from the Marianas at 16 miles per hour with 150 mile per hour sustained winds according to Aydlett, whose team has been hard at work giving us updates on the storm. At 7 a.m. Sunday morning, it shifted slightly north, “just south of the southern tip of Guam.” The storm was “extremely close,” he said. Aydlett shared that his team will be heading out to survey the damage. However, from reports they have been receiving, it seems that “people fared okay.” Near the Guam International Airport, gusts have reached up to 84 miles per hour according to Aydlett. He warns that Guam will continue to see windy conditions as the island progresses into midday. For Saipan, winds have not reached tropical storm levels, but the island has seen gusts up to 45 miles per hour. Saipan and Tinian are projected to see winds throughout the day. Typhoon warnings remain in effect for Guam and Rota. In addition, tropical storm warnings remain in effect for Saipan and Tinian until there is no more threat of tropical storm positions. Aydlett urged residents to wait for the “All Clear” from the Governor’s Office as the island waits for the remainder of heavy conditions to dissipate.

Join Marianas Press on Guam at the National Weather Service for the latest on Typhoon Champi. Coverage presented by Docomo Pacific

Join Marianas Press on Guam at the National Weather Service for the latest on Typhoon Champi. Coverage presented by Docomo Pacific

Join Marianas Press on Guam at the National Weather Service for the latest on Typhoon Champi. Coverage presented by Docomo Pacific —— In a 2 a.m. press briefing on early Sunday morning on Oct. 18, National Weather Meteorologist in Charge Service Brandon Aydlett stated that Typhoon Champi is now a category 4 typhoon about 55 miles southeast of Guam. The typhoon has continued to make its approach at 14 miles per hour, but made a short-term turn westward. According to Aydlett, the turn still tracks for the Champi to pass over about 15 to 20 miles south of Guam in the next few hours of Sunday morning. “We're still looking at the worst conditions will be from around sunrise until late morning hours this morning, and then we're going to see a quick reduction in those severe typhoon-force winds,” said Aydlett. According to the meteorologist, Guam residents can expect sustained winds of 140 miles per hour with a maximum of 150 miles per hour wind gusts and heavy amounts of rainfall. The island of Rota, which was previously in the cone of uncertainty, can now expect tropical storm conditions according to latest projections. Rota residents can expect sustained winds of 40 to 50 miles per hour with maximum gusts from up to 70 to 80 miles per hour. “Still, very strong winds, gusty conditions, Saipan, Tinian, and Rota. But the threat for tropical storm conditions will be much less than the typhoon conditions anticipated for Guam over the next several hours,” said Aydlett. The next NWS briefing is expected to take place at around 5 a.m. Sunday morning, Oct. 18.

Meteorologist in Charge Brandon Aydlett from the National Weather Service and his forecaster in training release a weather balloon outside of NWS headquarters in Tiyan, Guam. The balloon is used to measure the strength of the wind and other important weather data as Typhoon Champi arrives. MP’s Eliseo Silverio III and Mikaela Atoigue report from Guam. Watch the latest weather briefing on our YouTube channel and Facebook page.

Join Marianas Press on Guam at the National Weather Service for the latest on Typhoon Champi. Coverage presented by Docomo Pacific

MP’s Mikaela Atoigue and Eliseo Silverio III are stationed at the National Weather Service HQ on Guam this weekend to provide the latest updates on Typhoon Champi. Coverage presented by Docomo Pacific.

Saipan viewer submitted video at this hour overlooking Marine Beach in Kagman as Typhoon Champi nears.

Refaluwasch for Good Governance (RGG) endorsed gubernatorial candidates Blas Jonathan “BJ” Tenorio Attao and Edmund Joseph Sablan Villagomez for Governor and Lieutenant Governor of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. MP Correspondent Leo Tsukagoshi was there this morning and files this report.

Shelters across the Marianas open this morning as Typhoon Champi approaches. MP Rota Correspondent Joy Atalig reports from Luta with the latest information. SHELTERS OPEN SAT., OCT. 17 – 8:00 A.M. Saipan: Kagman Community Center, Kagman High School, Marianas High School 1 & 2 Tinian: Tinian Elementary, Tinian Middle/High School Rota: Dr. Rita Hocog Inos Jr./Sr. High School, Office of Aging Center Those still needing shelter on Mon., Oct. 19, will be moved to an alternate site.

Shelters across the Marianas open this morning as Typhoon Champi approaches. Saipan: Kagman Community Center, Kagman High School, Marianas High School 1 & 2

MP's Ismail Hossain reports from Tinian as shelters are open across the Marianas ahead of Typhoon Champi. SHELTERS OPEN SAT., OCT. 17 – 8:00 A.M. Saipan: Kagman Community Center, Kagman High School, Marianas High School 1 & 2 Tinian: Tinian Elementary, Tinian Middle/High School Rota: Dr. Rita Hocog Inos Jr./Sr. High School, Office of Aging Center Those still needing shelter on Mon., Oct. 19, will be moved to an alternate site.

Shelters across the Marianas open this morning as Typhoon Champi approaches. Leigh Gases reports on Saipan from Marianas High School. SHELTERS OPEN SAT., OCT. 17 – 8:00 A.M. Saipan: Kagman Community Center, Kagman High School, Marianas High School 1 & 2 Tinian: Tinian Elementary, Tinian Middle/High School Rota: Dr. Rita Hocog Inos Jr./Sr. High School, Office of Aging Center Those still needing shelter on Mon., Oct. 19, will be moved to an alternate site.

8am update on 10/17/26 with the National Weather Service as Typhoon Champi nears Guam. Here's what you need to know about potential impacts as shelters open across the Marianas. Thomas Manglona II reports.

Businesses already under pressure after multiple storms prepare once again for another one. Lanie Matias, owner of O’s Kitchen and Barbecue, and Five O’s Kitchen, begins the routine. Ismail Hossain files this report from Tinian.