Typhoon No. 30 (Champi) has intensified into an exceptionally powerful, "large and violent" system over the Philippine Sea, packing maximum sustained winds of 115 kt (215 km/h) and a central barometric pressure of 900 hPa as it charts a course toward waters east of Taiwan and Sakishima Islands, southwestern Japan.
CURRENT STATUS
Based on the latest JMA observations on October 21, 2026 03:45 UTC
- Location: 18.4°N, 129.5°E — approximately 835 km south of Miyakojima and 820 km east of northern Luzon
- Classification / Scale / Intensity: Typhoon (TY) / Large / Violent
- Movement: West-northwest at 14 kt (25 km/h)
- Central pressure: 900 hPa
- Maximum sustained winds: 115 kt (215 km/h)
- Maximum gusts: 165 kt (305 km/h)
- ≥30-kt wind area: 650 km (350 NM) to the northeast, 500 km (270 NM ) to the southwest
- ≥50-kt wind area: 240 km (30 NM) to the northeast, 185 km (100 NM) to the southwest
Weathernews Global Composite Satellite Imagery valid October 20, 2026 04:30 UTC to October 21, 2026 04:30 UTC
FORECAST TRACK SUMMARY
Typhoon No. 30 (Champi) as it tracks across Western Pacific shipping lanes with a vast storm warning area expanding up to 500 km (270 NM). The violent system is projected to approach the maritime passages between Taiwan and the southern Ryukyu Islands through 24 October, before recurving across the East China Sea toward western Japan by 26 October.
INTENSITY FORECAST
Typhoon No. 30 (Champi) is currently operating at its peak intensity, holding a rare and extraordinarily deep central pressure of 900 hPa with sustained core winds of 115 kt (215 km/h) and gusts to 165 kt (305 km/h). Typhoon No. 30 (Champi) is forecast to maintain "violent" typhoon status through 22 October, with central barometric pressure holding around 905 to 915 hPa and sustained winds of 105 to 110 kt (195 to 205 km/h).
A steady weakening trend will commence on 23 October as the storm approaches Taiwan and encounters increased land interaction and cooler waters. Central pressure will rise to 950 hPa by 23 October, with sustained winds easing to 85 kt (157 km/h). Typhoon No. 30 (Champi) is projected to weaken below typhoon strength to a Severe Tropical Storm (STS) by 25 October in East China Sea, with sustained winds of 55 kt (102 km/h), further degenerating into a 35-kt Tropical Storm (TS) as it accelerates toward the Tsushima Strait on 26 October.
IMPACTS & THREATS
Approaching the critical maritime passages between Luzon, Taiwan, and the southern Ryukyu Islands with an expansive circulation and violent core winds, Typhoon No. 30 (Champi) poses life-threatening hazards across Western Pacific and East China Sea shipping lanes through October 21 to October 25.
Strong Winds: Violent storm-force winds cover an extensive area surrounding the cyclone core. Typhoon No. 30 (Champi) currently sustains 50-kt storm-force winds up to 240 km (130 NM) northeast and 185 km (100 NM ) southwest of the center, while a vast gale wind area (≥30 kt) spans 650 km (350 NM) to the northeast and 500 km (270 NM) to the southwest. A storm warning area will expand to 340 km (185 NM) northeast and 290 km (155 NM) southwest by October 22 morning, widening to 500 km (270 NM) east and 430 km (230 NM) west as the system nears Taiwan and the Sakishima Islands on 24 October. Sustained winds near the center will range between 85 and 115 kt (157 and 215 km/h) through October 23.
Violent Gusts: Extreme, catastrophic wind gusts pose severe risks to vessels, ports, and offshore infrastructure. Maximum gusts near the center are currently reaching 165 kt (305 km/h). Peak gusts are forecast to remain between 150 and 155 kt (280 and 290 km/h) through October 22, holding at 120 kt (220 km/h) on October 23 and 100 kt (185 km/h) on October 24, before diminishing as the storm enters the East China Sea.
OPERATIONAL PORT FORECASTS
■ NAHA, Okinawa, Japan
■ ISHIGAKI, Okinawa, Japan
■ KEELUNG, Taiwan
■ HUALIEN, Taiwan
Weathernews Inc. assumes no liability for navigational decisions, losses, or damages resulting from reliance on this general overview.
While official observations guide the general threat assessment, highly detailed, proprietary routing and port forecasts are essential for safe navigation. Weathernews services provide customers with 24/7 localized data to ensure your vessels remain safe and well-informed. Please consult our dedicated services for the most up-to-date, detailed predictions for your specific routes and operations.
Note on the storm's name: "Champi" is drawn from the Western North Pacific and South China Sea tropical cyclone name list, contributed by Laos, and refers to the white champaca flower or plumeria. The WMO and the ESCAP/WMO Typhoon Committee adopt these names sequentially to make tracking specific storms straightforward and to quickly communicate warnings. To learn more about how storms are named, please visit the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) website.
