TS Champi (29W): Intensifying and Continuing to Move West Towards Marianas

TS Champi (29W): Intensifying and Continuing to Move West Towards Marianas

Valid as of 4:21 AM ChST on Saturday, October 17, 2026

Guam, Rota: Typhoon Warning REMAINS in effect.

Saipan, Tinian: Tropical Storm Warning REMAINS in effect. Typhoon Watch REMAINS in effect.

All Islands: Flood Watch, Coastal Flood Watch, and High Surf Warnings REMAIN in effect.

As of NWS Guam Public Advisory #9, we expect typhoon-force winds of at least 74 MPH within the next 24 hours for Guam and Rota, and tropical storm-force winds of 39-73 MPH for Saipan and Tinian. Tropical Storm Champi (29W) is moving west at 15 MPH, with maximum sustained winds increased to 70 MPH. The forecast track takes Champi just south of Guam in the mid-morning hours of Sunday, October 18, 2026, but destructive winds are still expected for all of Guam. Any deviation north could bring worse conditions over Rota, Tinian, and Saipan. Champi is forecast to continue intensifying, becoming a Category 3 (110-130 MPH) typhoon prior to its passage through the Marianas. The most likely arrival time of damaging winds looks to be late tonight around midnight.

IMPACTS

Guam: Total rainfall of 12 to 20 inches, peak winds of 105 to 120 MPH with gusts to 155 MPH Sunday morning, surf up to 35 FT, significant coastal inundation 5 to 7 FT.

Rota: Total rainfall of 10 to 15 inches, peak winds of 60 to 80 MPH with gusts to 115 MPH Sunday morning, surf up to 25 FT, coastal inundation 2 to 4 FT.

Tinian, Saipan: Total rainfall of 4 to 6 inches, peak winds of 40 to 60 MPH with gusts to 80 MPH Sunday morning, surf up to 20 FT, coastal inundation 1 to 3 FT.

Residents of the Marianas are encouraged to finish storm preparations by sunset on Saturday as the onset of damaging winds will be soon thereafter. Heed the advice of local government officials and emergency management agencies. As a reminder, NWS Guam does not determine the status of Conditions of Readiness (COR) and Tropical Cyclone Conditions of Readiness (TCCOR). Please refer to local government and military officials regarding your island’s current status.

Being prepared, checking the forecast, and heeding local government advice is crucial for your safety.

For more information, please visit www.weather.gov/gum. For more information on TS Champi, visit www.weather.gov/gum/Cyclones.