Champi weakens to typhoon, but may regain strength before entering PAR

MANILA, Philippines — From a supertyphoon, Champi has weakened into a typhoon, but may regain supertyphoon strength before entering the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) on Tuesday, Oct. 20, according to the weather bureau.

In its 11 p.m. Sunday tropical cyclone advisory, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said Champi was last spotted 1,830 kilometers east of southeastern Luzon, outside the PAR, moving west-northwestward at 15 km per hour (kph).

It was packing maximum sustained winds of 175 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 215 kph.

Strong to typhoon-force winds extending up to 680 kilometers from the typhoon’s center could affect areas far from its eye.

According to Pagasa, Champi will move west-northwestward until it enters PAR by Tuesday morning or early afternoon. Once inside the PAR, Champi will be given the domestic name Rosal.

READ: Supertyphoon Champi to enter PAR on Oct. 20; to be named Rosal

Champi is expected to maintain its strength over the next 12 hours before potentially intensifying again into a super typhoon beginning Monday evening or Tuesday.

It may further gain strength as it moves over the Philippine Sea.

A gradual weakening trend is expected to begin on Wednesday, Oct. 21, after the cyclone reaches its peak intensity.

Despite its current weakening, Pagasa warned that Champi could bring strong winds, heavy rain and dangerous sea conditions to parts of the country.

Signal No. 3 or 4

Tropical cyclone wind signals could be raised over the northern and eastern sections of northern Luzon and the eastern portion of the Bicol Region, particularly Catanduanes, as early as Monday evening or early Tuesday morning.

Under the current forecast scenario, the highest possible wind signal is Signal No. 3 or 4.

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Gusty conditions are also likely across most of Luzon and the Visayas, as well as parts of Mindanao, beginning Wednesday.

Pagasa also warned of heavy rainfall in extreme northern Luzon, with its effects expected to peak on Thursday and Friday.

Meanwhile, moderate to rough seas may develop along the northern and eastern seaboards of Luzon and the eastern seaboards of the Visayas and Mindanao by Tuesday.

Heading toward Taiwan

Very rough to very high seas could affect the northern and eastern seaboards of Luzon from Wednesday onward.

Pagasa cautioned that Champi’s forecast track could still shift, including toward a more southerly path that could bring the cyclone closer to mainland Northern Luzon.

While the cyclone is forecast to head toward Taiwan, the bureau said it could not rule out the possibility of Champi crossing or making landfall over extreme northern Luzon if it follows a more southerly track within the forecast cone. /cb