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Super Typhoon Champi narrowly misses Guam, eye passes 10 miles south of the island with 150 mph winds

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Super Typhoon Champi narrowly missed Guam early on Sunday, with its eye passing about 10 miles (16 km) south of the island’s southern tip at around 4.26 am local time (11.56 pm IST on Saturday), the US National Weather Service (NWS) office in Tiyan said. Champi was upgraded to a super typhoon in a statement issued at 9.38 am Chamorro Standard Time on 18 October 2026, with maximum sustained winds of 150 mph (240 km/h).

Super Typhoon Champi: NASA Terra satellite view of the storm's eye just west of Guam on 18 October 2026
NASA Terra satellite view of the storm's eye just west of Guam on 18 October 2026 Photo: NASA Worldview, EOSDIS (MODIS Terra imagery; public domain).

Where Super Typhoon Champi is heading

At 7 am local time, the NWS said, Champi’s centre was near latitude 13.2 North and longitude 144.3 East, about 40 miles west-south-west of Guam, moving west-north-west at 16 mph. An update at 10 am placed it about 85 miles west-south-west of the Guam radar, moving west at about 13.5 mph. Forecasters said a secondary eyewall appeared to be forming as the inner eye contracted to about 5 miles wide, and that the heavier rain bands were shifting away from the island. At 10 am, the NWS placed Champi about 130 miles west-south-west of Rota airport and about 200 miles south-west of Saipan airport.

Key Facts

  • Closest pass: eye about 10 miles south of Guam, 4.26 am ChST
  • Winds: 150 mph (super typhoon)
  • Typhoon Warning: Guam and Rota
  • Tinian, Saipan: TS Warning + Typhoon Watch
  • Airport gusts: up to 80 mph

Typhoon warning for Guam and Rota

A Typhoon Warning remains in effect for Guam and Rota, while Tinian and Saipan are under a Tropical Storm Warning and a Typhoon Watch. A Flood Watch covers parts of Guam and the Northern Marianas. The NWS said damaging tropical-storm-force winds of 39 to 57 mph were still blowing across much of Guam on Sunday morning, with occasional typhoon-force gusts of up to 80 mph at Guam International Airport. AP reported earlier that Champi had been strengthening as it approached Guam, prompting the typhoon warnings. The 9.38 am statement said the compact, well-defined eye was about 5 to 6 miles wide as outer rain bands kept sweeping the island. Sustained winds were expected to keep easing through the day, the NWS said, though occasional strong gusts would keep conditions dangerous outdoors.

Stay indoors until the all-clear

Even as conditions improve through the day, the NWS urged residents to stay inside and away from windows until officials give the all-clear. People should not go outside to check for damage or make temporary repairs, it said, because passing showers can bring very strong gusts without warning and flying debris can cause serious injury. Residents were advised to keep a charged phone nearby, keep networks open for emergencies and follow NOAA Weather Radio and local news. The next local statement was due around 3 pm local time, or sooner if conditions warrant.

Why It Matters: Guam is a US territory with a major US military presence in the western Pacific, and a near-miss by a super typhoon still brings dangerous winds and flooding to its 150,000-plus residents.

Also on TrendDesh: El Nino 2026: NASA satellites track what may be the strongest El Nino since 1950 · Hurricane Isaias: NASA night images show lights going out across Florida Panhandle, then returning

Source: NWS Guam: Super Typhoon Champi Local Statement, 18 Oct 2026 · NWS Guam: Tropical Cyclone Update, 945 am ChST · AP News

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