Signal No. 2 still up in Batanes as Super Typhoon Rosal slightly weakens

Satellite rendering shows Super Typhoon Rosal (international name: Champi) taken as of 4:30 a.m. of Oct. 21, 2026.

PAGASA via Facebook

MANILA, Philippines — Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2 remains in effect over Batanes as Super Typhoon Rosal (international name: Champi) slightly weakened while moving west-northwestward over the sea east of Northern Luzon, the state weather bureau PAGASA said Wednesday.

In its 5 p.m. bulletin on Wednesday, October 21, PAGASA said Rosal was packing maximum sustained winds of 205 kilometers per hour near the center and gusts of up to 250 kph.

The super typhoon was last spotted 725 kilometers east of Aparri, Cagayan, moving west-northwestward at 25 kph.

Strong to typhoon-force winds extend up to 780 kilometers from the center.

Warning signals

PAGASA raised the following tropical cyclone wind signals:

Signal No. 2

Luzon

• Batanes

Residents in the province may experience gale-force winds ranging from 62 to 88 kph within the next 24 hours, posing minor to moderate threats to life and property.

Signal No. 1

Luzon

• Cagayan, including the Babuyan Islands
• Eastern portion of Isabela (Maconacon, Divilacan, Palanan, Santa Maria, Cabagan, Delfin Albano, Santo Tomas, Tumauini, San Pablo, Ilagan City, San Mariano, Dinapigue)
• Ilocos Norte
• Apayao
• Northeastern portion of Catanduanes (Pandan, Bagamanoc, Panganiban, Viga, Gigmoto)

Residents in these areas may experience strong winds ranging from 39 to 61 kph within the next 36 hours, posing minimal to minor threats to life and property.

PAGASA said the highest wind signal that may be raised during Rosal's passage is Signal No. 3.

The northeast monsoon and Rosal's outer circulation will also bring strong to gale-force gusts over the following areas:

• Wednesday, October 21: Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, Cagayan Valley, Bicol Region, Romblon, Eastern Visayas, Siquijor, Bohol, Northern Mindanao, Caraga, Davao Region, Aurora, Quezon and Sarangani.
• Thursday, October 22: Most of Luzon and the Visayas, Zamboanga del Norte, Northern Mindanao, Agusan del Norte, Surigao del Norte, Dinagat Islands, Sarangani, Davao Occidental and Davao Oriental.
• Friday, October 23: Most of Luzon and the Visayas, Zamboanga del Norte, Davao Occidental and Davao Oriental.

PAGASA advised the public to refer to Weather Advisory No. 5, issued at 5 p.m. Wednesday, for the heavy rainfall outlook due to Rosal.

Sea conditions

A gale warning is in effect over the northern and eastern seaboards of Luzon and the eastern seaboard of the Visayas.

Very rough seas, with waves reaching up to 10 meters, are expected along the northern and eastern seaboards of Batanes. Waves may reach up to 9 meters along the remaining seaboard of the province and the eastern seaboard of the Babuyan Islands.

Waves may reach up to 8 meters along the northern seaboard of the Babuyan Islands and the northeastern seaboard of mainland Cagayan. Seas may reach up to 7 meters along the remaining seaboards of mainland Cagayan and the Babuyan Islands, as well as the northeastern seaboard of Isabela.

Very rough seas, with waves reaching up to 6 meters, are expected along the northern seaboard of Ilocos Norte and the remaining seaboard of Isabela.

Waves may reach up to 5 meters along the northern and eastern seaboards of Catanduanes, the northern seaboard of Ilocos Norte and the northern seaboard of northern Aurora.

PAGASA warned that sea travel is risky for all types of vessels in areas where very rough seas are expected. Mariners were advised to remain in port or seek shelter in a safe harbor until winds and waves subside.

Operators of small vessels, including motorbancas, were also advised against venturing out to sea under rough conditions.

Track, intensity

Rosal is expected to continue moving west-northwestward on Wednesday before turning northwestward on Thursday, October 22.

The super typhoon is forecast to turn north-northwestward by Friday, October 23, before recurving north-northeastward on Saturday, October 24.

On its forecast track, Rosal will be closest to Extreme Northern Luzon between Thursday afternoon and Friday morning before exiting the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) by Friday evening or early Saturday.

PAGASA said Rosal is forecast to gradually weaken into a typhoon by Friday and continue weakening near Taiwan due to unfavorable conditions.

The weather bureau cautioned that heavy rainfall and severe winds may still affect areas outside the forecast track and that Rosal's path may still change.