Tropical Storm Champi Strengthening East of Guam

TROPICAL STORM CHAMPI STRENGTHENING EAST OF GUAM

Friday, October 16, 2026

Valid at 6:30 AM ChST

TYPHOON WATCH IN EFFECT FOR GUAM, ROTA, TINIAN, SAIPAN

CURRENT FORECAST BRINGS CHAMPI THROUGH MARIANAS NEAR GUAM ON SUNDAY

CHAMPI EXPECTED TO BE A CATEGORY 2 TYPHOON AT TIME OF PASSAGE THROUGH MARIANAS

Tropical Storm Champi continues to strengthen this morning as it makes its steady approach toward the Marianas. At 5:00 am ChST in the NWS Guam Intermediate Public Advisory #5A, Champi was centered 800 miles east of Guam near 11.6N 156.5E. It had been moving west (280 degrees) at 12 mph. Maximum sustained winds were now at 40 mph. Champi is expected to steadily strengthen in the coming days, likely becoming a typhoon on Saturday as it nears the Marianas. Champi is forecast to continue generally west-northwestward with a slight increase in forward motion. The prevailing concern regarding Champi’s approach to the Marianas is if, and when, rapid intensification may occur. As currently forecast, Champi will pass very near, or over, Guam late Sunday morning.

A Typhoon Watch is in effect for Guam, Rota, Tinian and Saipan. This means that typhoon force conditions (sustained winds of 74 mph or more) are possible, with damaging, tropical storm force winds beginning within 48 hours.

GUAM/CNMI CONCERNS & IMPACTS:

Time and distance between Tropical Storm Champi and the Marianas continue to decrease. We are now within the 48 hour time frame for the possible onset of the damaging, tropical storm force winds of Champi’s western periphery. However, additional shifts in forecast track, timing and tropical cyclone intensity will occur with each subsequent forecast cycle. Although the current track brings Champi over Guam as a category 2 typhoon, Champi could still shift farther north…or to the south. If rapid intensification occurs sooner, and more rapidly than anticipated, the Marianas could see a stronger typhoon push through the region.

Stay Tuned.

Residents across the Marianas should take the time TODAY, while weather conditions are fair and favorable, to secure homes and businesses, and to prepare for the potential typhoon-force impacts of Champi.

For those on Guam, a direct hit to Guam by a typhoon would bring stronger conditions than we experienced during Choi-wan, Bavi and Sinlaku. Prepare now. Regional weather and sea conditions will deteriorate through the day on Saturday as Champi approaches. Take time and action today to be ready.

Keep up to date with the latest development on Tropical Storm Champi at www.weather.gov/gum/cyclones.