Champi weakens into typhoon, moving west-northwest and still outside PAR

Champi has weakened from a super typhoon to a typhoon as it continues to move west-northwest over the sea outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility, PAGASA said Sunday evening.

In its 11 p.m. tropical cyclone bulletin, the state weather bureau said that Champi was located 1,830 km east of southeastern Luzon as of 10 p.m., placing it outside PAR, with maximum sustained winds of 175 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 215 km/h.

It was moving west-northwest at 15 km/h with strong to typhoon-force winds extending outwards by as much as 680 km from the center.

Champi is forecast to enter PAR on Tuesday morning or early afternoon, and will be given the local designation Rosal.

Champi is expected to maintain its strength over the next 12 hours, then re-intensify from Monday evening or early Tuesday, and may even reattain super typhoon level.

PAGASA added that wind signals may be hoisted over the northern and eastern parts of northern Luzon and parts of the Bicol Region by Monday evening or Tuesday morning in anticipation of the strong winds from the tropical cyclone.

"The highest Wind Signal for the current forecast scenario is Wind Signal No. 3 or 4," it said.

Hazards

Champi is expected to bring heavy rains to extreme northern Luzon, along with gusty conditions over most parts of Luzon and Visayas, as well as portions of Mindanao, starting Wednesday.

For marine hazards, moderate to rough seas may begin over the northern and eastern seaboards of Luzon and the eastern seaboards of Visayas and Mindanao by Tuesday, according to PAGASA.

“Hazardous sea conditions (reaching very rough, high, or very high seas) may affect the northern and eastern seaboards of Luzon by Wednesday onwards. A Gale Warning for very rough seas will be issued on Tuesday evening or Wednesday morning,” the bureau added.

PAGASA advised the public and concerned disaster risk reduction and management offices to continue monitoring for updates related to Typhoon Champi. — Lyjah Tiffany Bonzo/BM, GMA News