Guam: Typhoon Champi Brings Warning, Flight Cancellations and Port Closures

October 17, 2026 — Guam is preparing for Typhoon Champi, which is forecast to pass just south of the island on Sunday, October 18, possibly as a Category 3 typhoon. A typhoon warning covers Guam and Rota, flights are already being cancelled, and the island’s ports have been closed to normal traffic.

The storm

Position: At 7 a.m. Saturday local time, Champi was about 340 miles east-southeast of Guam, moving west-northwest at 15 mph with maximum sustained winds of 85 mph, according to Guam Homeland Security (JIC Release No. 4). AP later reported winds of 100 mph and strengthening.
Track: The current forecast takes Champi just south of Guam as a Category 3 typhoon. Forecasts can change.
Timing: Damaging winds (39 mph or more) could begin as early as 8 p.m. Saturday, October 17. Typhoon-force winds (74 mph or more) could begin as early as 5 a.m. Sunday, October 18. Rus Tourism News, citing the National Weather Service, reports dangerous conditions may continue Sunday night with hazardous seas into Monday.
Warnings: Typhoon warning for Guam and Rota. Tropical storm warning for Tinian and Saipan in the Northern Mariana Islands.
Background: The American Red Cross says Champi is the third strong typhoon to affect the region since April, after Super Typhoons Sinlaku and Bavi.

Government actions

Condition of Readiness: The governor placed Guam in Condition of Readiness 2 at 1 p.m. Friday, October 16. Under the Guam Regional Transit Authority’s standing policy, all bus operations stop under COR 2 until the all-clear.
Ports: Port Heavy Weather Condition ZULU was set for the ports of Guam and the CNMI at 7 a.m. Saturday.
Shelters: Five Department of Education emergency evacuation centers opened at 10 a.m. Saturday: Machananao Elementary, Astumbo Elementary, Maria A. Ulloa Elementary, George Washington High School and Talofofo Elementary, with combined space for 1,964 people.

Flights

A.B. Won Pat International Airport had not announced a full shutdown, but its own schedules confirmed cancellations on Saturday, Rus Tourism News reports. Japan Airlines cancelled Guam–Tokyo Narita flights on October 17 and 18, Korean Air cancelled some Seoul flights on October 17 and 18, and United cancellations include flights to Tokyo Narita, Osaka Kansai, Honolulu, Manila, Saipan, Taipei, Chuuk and Koror, some as late as Monday, October 19. The airport has advised passengers to sign up for airline alerts and avoid unnecessary trips to the airport in unsafe weather.

What it means for airline travelers

Do not plan standby travel to, from or through Guam or Saipan until the storm has passed and schedules recover. Displaced passengers will fill the first flights out, likely into Monday, October 19, or later.
If you are on the island and can get out on a flight still operating Saturday, that may be your best chance before the storm.
Island-hopping trips through Chuuk, Koror and Saipan depend on Guam connections; expect knock-on cancellations.
Public buses stop under COR 2, so arrange transport to the airport in advance and confirm your flight before you leave.
Follow Guam Homeland Security, the National Weather Service in Guam and your hotel’s instructions. Know where the nearest evacuation center is.
Check whether your travel insurance covers storm delays, and keep cash, medication, a charged phone and documents with you in case of power outages.