Good news, with a big "but."

Rosal (Champi) has weakened from a super typhoon into a typhoon, PAGASA said on Thursday, October 22. As of 5 p.m., it was 350 km east of Itbayat, Batanes, moving northwest at 15 kph with winds of 165 kph and gusts of up to 205 kph.

That's still a strong typhoon, and it's at its closest to Extreme Northern Luzon until Friday morning.

Who's under a signal?

  • Signal No. 2 (62 to 88 kph winds): Batanes and the northeastern Babuyan Islands

  • Signal No. 1 (39 to 61 kph winds): rest of the Babuyan Islands, mainland Cagayan, Ilocos Norte, Apayao and northeastern Isabela

PAGASA hasn't ruled out Signal No. 3 for Batanes.

Stay off the water

Waves could reach up to 12 meters off northern and eastern Batanes and 9 meters around the Babuyan Islands. A gale warning is up across Northern Luzon's seaboard and the eastern coasts of Central and Southern Luzon. PAGASA says sea travel is risky for all vessels.

Walang pasok

Batanes suspended classes and government work on Thursday, and several Northern Luzon LGUs have announced suspensions for Friday too. Check your LGU's official page for your area.

When will it leave?

Rosal should turn north-northwest on Friday morning and curve away northeast by Saturday. It's expected to exit PAR by Friday evening or early Saturday, October 24, and could weaken into a severe tropical storm by then. No landfall is in the current forecast.

Quick checklist

  • Charge your phone and power banks

  • Follow PAGASA and your LGU for updates

  • Keep a go-bag ready in case you need to evacuate

  • Secure loose items outside your house

For the record: Champi hit peak winds of 296 kph on October 20, making it the strongest tropical cyclone of 2026 so far.