October 22, 2026 | 12:09pm
ANILA, Philippines — Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2 remains in effect over Batanes and the northeastern portion of the Babuyan Islands as Super Typhoon Rosal (international name: Champi) further weakened while moving west-northwestward over the Philippine Sea east of Batanes, the state weather bureau PAGASA said Thursday.
In its 11 a.m. bulletin on Thursday, October 22, PAGASA said Rosal was packing maximum sustained winds of 185 kilometers per hour near the center and gusts of up to 230 kph.
The super typhoon was last spotted 400 kilometers east of Basco, Batanes, moving west-northwestward at 20 kph.
Strong to typhoon-force winds extend up to 780 kilometers from the center.
Warning signals
PAGASA raised the following tropical cyclone wind signals:
Signal No. 2
Luzon
- Batanes
- Northeastern portion of Babuyan Islands
Residents in these areas may experience gale-force winds ranging from 62 to 88 kph within the next 24 hours, posing minor to moderate threats to life and property.
Signal No. 1
Luzon
- Rest of the Babuyan Islands
- Mainland Cagayan
- Eastern portion of Isabela (Maconacon, Divilacan, Palanan, Santa Maria, Cabagan, Delfin Albano, Santo Tomas, Tumauini, San Pablo, Ilagan City, San Mariano, Dinapigue)
- Ilocos Norte
- Apayao
Residents in these areas may experience strong winds ranging from 39 to 61 kph within the next 36 hours, posing minimal to minor threats to life and property.
PAGASA said Signal No. 3 is the highest wind signal that may be raised during Rosal's passage, particularly over Batanes. However, the possibility of raising Signal No. 3 will decrease if the typhoon takes a more north-northwestward track.
The northeast monsoon and Rosal's outer circulation will also bring strong to gale-force gusts over the following areas:
- Thursday, October 22: Most of Luzon and the Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Northern Mindanao, Agusan del Norte, Surigao del Norte, Dinagat Islands, Sarangani, Davao Occidental and Davao Oriental.
- Friday, October 23: Most of Luzon and the Visayas, Zamboanga del Norte, Misamis Occidental, Camiguin, Davao Occidental and Davao Oriental.
- Saturday, October 24: Batanes, Babuyan Islands, Ilocos Norte, Polillo Islands, Bicol Region, Romblon, Capiz, Iloilo and Negros Occidental.
PAGASA advised the public to refer to Weather Advisory No. 8, issued at 11 a.m. Thursday, for the heavy rainfall outlook due to Rosal.
Sea conditions
A gale warning is in effect over the northern and eastern seaboards of Luzon.
Very rough to very high seas, with waves reaching up to 12 meters, are expected along the northern and eastern seaboards of Batanes.
Waves may reach up to 9 meters along the seaboard of the Babuyan Islands, the remaining seaboard of Batanes and the northeastern seaboard of mainland Cagayan.
Seas may reach up to 7 meters along the remaining seaboard of mainland Cagayan and the seaboard of northern Isabela. Waves may reach up to 6 meters along the northern seaboard of Ilocos Norte and the remaining seaboard of Isabela.
Waves may reach up to 5.5 meters along the remaining seaboard of Ilocos Norte, while seas may reach up to 4.5 meters along the seaboards of Ilocos Sur and northern Aurora, as well as the northern and eastern seaboards of the Polillo Islands.
PAGASA warned that sea travel is risky for all types of vessels in areas where very rough to very high seas are expected. Mariners were advised to remain in port or seek shelter in a safe harbor until winds and waves subside.
Operators of small vessels, including motorbancas, were also advised against venturing out to sea in areas with rough seas, especially if their vessels are ill-equipped or they lack experience.
Track, intensity
Rosal is expected to continue moving generally northwestward until Thursday night before turning north-northwestward on Friday morning, October 23.
The tropical cyclone is forecast to recurve north-northeastward by Saturday, October 24.
On its forecast track, Rosal will be closest to Extreme Northern Luzon between Thursday afternoon and Friday morning before exiting the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) by Friday evening or early Saturday.
PAGASA said Rosal will continue to gradually weaken and may be downgraded from a super typhoon to a typhoon within Thursday. By Saturday, it may further weaken into a severe tropical storm.
The weather bureau warned that heavy rainfall and severe winds may still affect areas outside the forecast track and that Rosal's path may still change.