October 21, 2026 — Super Typhoon Rosal (international name Champi) sped up over the Philippine Sea on Wednesday, and PAGASA now has Signal No. 1 up in seven areas of northern Luzon. Forecasters do not expect landfall, but the storm will pass closest to the far north on Thursday and Friday, and sea travel has been halted in parts of the region.
What’s new since yesterday
- Strength and position (5 a.m. bulletin, October 21): about 990 km east of Northern Luzon, moving west-northwest at about 30 km/h, with sustained winds of 215 km/h and gusts up to 265 km/h.
- Signal No. 1 in seven areas: Batanes, the Babuyan Islands, mainland Cagayan, eastern Isabela, northern and central Apayao, northeastern Ilocos Norte and northeastern Catanduanes. PAGASA says the highest signal could reach No. 2 or No. 3.
- No landfall expected: Closest approach is about 340 km east-northeast of Itbayat by 2 a.m. Friday, October 23. Rosal should leave the Philippine Area of Responsibility by Friday evening or early Saturday, October 24, weakening to a typhoon on Thursday.
- Sea travel: The Philippine Coast Guard suspended trips for motor bancas and other small craft in Aurora province. A gale warning covers the northern and eastern seaboards of Luzon and the eastern Visayas, with waves up to 8 meters off Batanes and northern Cagayan.
- Wind and rain: The monsoon and Rosal’s outer bands are expected to bring strong to gale-force gusts to most of Luzon and the Visayas on October 22 and 23. Batanes could get 100 to 200 mm of rain on Thursday.
| When | Expected |
|---|---|
| Wed, Oct 21 | Heavy rain in Ilocos Norte, Apayao and Cagayan; rough seas in the north and east |
| Thu, Oct 22 | Rosal weakens to a typhoon; heaviest rain in Batanes; gusty winds over much of Luzon and the Visayas |
| Fri, Oct 23 | Closest approach to Extreme Northern Luzon (early morning through afternoon) |
| Fri night – Sat, Oct 24 | Expected to leave the Philippine Area of Responsibility |
None of the reports reviewed mention flight cancellations so far.
What it means for airline travelers
- Northern Luzon and Batanes trips: Small domestic flights and inter-island boats are the first to stop. If you are heading to Batanes, the Babuyan Islands or the Cagayan coast this week, think about postponing.
- Manila flights are not in the forecast path, but gusty weather across Luzon on Thursday and Friday can still cause delays. Check your flight status before going to the airport.
- Do not count on ferries along the northern and eastern coasts until the gale warning is lifted.
- Follow PAGASA bulletins, which come out every six hours, and register with STEP (US) or Registration of Canadians Abroad.
Sources
- PAGASA via Philstar — “Signal No. 1 up in 7 areas as Super Typhoon Rosal intensifies” (October 21, 2026): philstar.com
- ASTIG — “Rosal triggers its first shutdowns: 128,843 relief packs moved to Ilocos, Aurora sea travel halted”: astig.ph
- GMA News — “Super Typhoon Rosal speeds up; 7 areas under Signal No. 1”: gmanetwork.com
- Gulf News — “Super Typhoon Rosal Intensifies: Gale Warnings Issued for Luzon and Visayas Seas”: gulfnews.com
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