Super Typhoon Rosal Accelerates; Strong Gusts Expected in Cordillera

Based on PAGASA Tropical Cyclone Bulletin No. 4, issued at 5:00 AM on October 21, 2026. All times are Philippine Standard Time.

Super Typhoon Rosal (international name: Champi) accelerated over the Philippine Sea east of Northern Luzon early Wednesday, October 21, according to PAGASA.

Baguio City and Benguet are not under a Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal in this bulletin. However, the Cordillera Administrative Region is among the areas expected to experience strong to gale-force gusts today due to the combined effects of the northeasterly windflow and Rosal’s outer circulation.

PAGASA said winds may be stronger in exposed upland and mountainous areas. Locations sheltered from the prevailing wind direction may experience weaker winds.

Rosal’s Location and Strength

ST Rosal’s Forecast Track from PAGASA

At 4:00 AM, Rosal’s eye was located 990 kilometers east of Northern Luzon, at 17.6°N, 131.1°E.

The super typhoon had:

• Maximum sustained winds: 215 km/h near the center
• Gustiness: Up to 265 km/h
• Central pressure: 900 hPa
• Movement: West northwestward at 30 km/h
• Wind extent: Strong to typhoon-force winds reaching up to 780 kilometers from the center

Signal No. 1 Remains in Effect Over Several Areas

PAGASA placed the following areas under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1:

• Batanes
• Babuyan Islands
• Ilocos Norte: Pagudpud
• Mainland Cagayan: Santa Ana, Gonzaga, Lal-Lo, Santa Teresita, Camalaniugan, Aparri, Buguey, Gattaran, Baggao, Peñablanca, Santa Praxedes, Claveria, Sanchez-Mira, Pamplona, Ballesteros, Abulug, and Allacapan
• Isabela: Maconacon, Divilacan, and Palanan
• Catanduanes: Pandan, Bagamanoc, Panganiban, Viga, and Gigmoto

Signal No. 1 warns of strong winds of 39 to 61 km/h, with a warning lead time of 36 hours. These winds may cause minimal to minor impacts on life and property.

PAGASA said the highest wind signal that may be raised during Rosal’s passage is Signal No. 2 or 3. This is a forecast for potentially affected areas and does not mean these signals have already been raised.

Strong Gusts Expected Beyond Wind Signal Areas

The northeasterly windflow and Rosal’s outer circulation may bring strong to gale-force gusts even to places outside the areas under wind signals.

For Wednesday, October 21, the outlook covers:

• Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, and Cagayan Valley
• Bicol Region and Romblon
• Eastern Visayas, Siquijor, and Bohol
• Northern Mindanao, Caraga, Davao Region, and Sarangani

For Thursday and Friday, October 22 and 23, most of Luzon and the Visayas, along with parts of Mindanao, are included in the gust outlook.

PAGASA emphasized that exposed coastal and upland areas may experience stronger gusts.

Heavy Rainfall Outlook Issued Separately

PAGASA referred the public to Weather Advisory No. 3, issued at 5:00 AM on October 21, for the heavy rainfall outlook associated with Rosal.

The tropical cyclone bulletin does not provide specific rainfall amounts for Baguio or Benguet. Residents should monitor the separate rainfall advisories and local warnings issued by PAGASA’s Regional Services Division.

Heavy rainfall and severe winds can affect communities outside the forecast confidence cone or any landfall area. The forecast track may also shift within the cone.

Dangerous Sea Conditions Around Northern and Eastern Luzon

A Gale Warning is in effect over the northern and eastern seaboards of Luzon and the eastern seaboard of the Visayas.

Within the next 24 hours, PAGASA forecast waves reaching:

• 8 meters: Batanes and the northern and eastern seaboards of Cagayan, including Babuyan Islands
• 6 meters: The remaining seaboards of Cagayan and the seaboard of Isabela
• 5 meters: The eastern seaboard of northern Aurora and the northern and eastern seaboards of Catanduanes
• 4.5 meters: The remaining seaboards of Aurora; northern and eastern Polillo Islands; northern Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, and Northern Samar; and eastern Albay and Sorsogon

Sea travel is risky for vessels of all types and sizes in these waters. Mariners should remain in port or seek safe harbor if already at sea.

Along western Northern Luzon, waves may reach 4 meters off northern Ilocos Norte, 3 meters along the province’s remaining seaboards, and 2.5 meters off Ilocos Sur, La Union, and northwestern Pangasinan.

Small seacraft should avoid waters forecast to have rough seas. Motorbancas and similarly sized vessels should take precautions and, if possible, avoid navigating waters with moderate to rough seas.

Closest Approach Expected October 22 to 23

Rosal is forecast to move west northwestward on Wednesday, then northwestward until Friday morning, October 23, before turning northeastward by Sunday, October 25.

Based on PAGASA’s forecast track, the cyclone will be closest to Extreme Northern Luzon between Thursday, October 22, and Friday afternoon, October 23.

It may leave the Philippine Area of Responsibility by Friday evening or early Saturday morning, October 24.

Further intensification remains possible within six hours of the bulletin’s issuance before a weakening trend begins. PAGASA forecasts Rosal to weaken into a typhoon on Thursday and into a severe tropical storm by Sunday.

Monitor Local Advisories

PAGASA advised the public and disaster risk reduction and management offices to take necessary measures to protect life and property.

Residents in areas highly or very highly susceptible to hazards should follow evacuation orders and other instructions from local officials.

The next tropical cyclone bulletin is scheduled for 11:00 AM on October 21, 2026.

Sources:

• DOST-PAGASA Tropical Cyclone Bulletin No. 4 for Super Typhoon Rosal (Champi), issued at 5:00 AM on October 21, 2026, as supplied for this article
• PAGASA Weather Advisories
• PAGASA Gale Warnings