NWS warns Champi could bring 150 mph gusts, Up to 20 inches of rain to Guam

As of 7:08 p.m. Friday, Tropical Storm Champi was 510 miles from Guam, continuing on a westward track toward the Marianas, according to National Weather Service Guam Public Advisory No. 8.

“The forecast track takes Champi just south of Guam in the early morning hours of Sunday, October 18, 2026, but destructive winds are still expected for all of Guam. Any deviation north could bring worse conditions over Rota, Tinian, and Saipan,” NWS Guam’s official Facebook account said.

Weather officials said Champi continues to gather strength, with maximum sustained winds increasing to 60 mph on Friday.

Weather officials anticipate Champi will continue to intensify over the next few days and could reach typhoon strength by Saturday morning. Officials also said that by the time it passes through the Marianas, it could be a high-end Category 2 typhoon or greater, with tropical storm-force winds extending outward from the center 100 miles.

“If Champi develops more, Category 3 typhoon strength of 111 MPH winds or greater is a possibility. During its passage, Champi’s forward motion is forecast to be west-northwest at 13 mph. The most likely arrival time of damaging winds looks to be late Saturday night or early Sunday morning.”

Champi is traveling at 13 mph and is expected to shift its course.

“It is expected to make a slight turn toward the west-northwest with a slight increase in forward speed through Saturday. This general forecast track will take Champi close to, or over, Guam Sunday morning,” NWS said.

Weather officials said Guam could receive 12 to 20 inches of total rainfall and experience peak winds of 90 to 105 mph, with gusts up to 150 mph Sunday morning. Surf may reach up to 26 feet, with coastal inundation of up to 5 feet.

“As of NWS Guam Public Advisory #8, we expect typhoon-force winds of at least 74 MPH within the next 24 hours for Guam and Rota, and tropical storm-force winds of 39-73 MPH for Saipan and Tinian,” NWS said on Facebook.

“Rota: Total rainfall of 10 to 18 inches, peak winds of 60 to 80 MPH with gusts to 115 MPH Sunday morning, surf up to 20 FT, coastal inundation 2 to 4 FT. Tinian, Saipan: Total rainfall of 8 to 12 inches, peak winds of 40 to 60 MPH with gusts to 80 MPH Sunday morning, surf up to 19 FT, coastal inundation 1 to 3 FT,” NWS added.

Weather officials encouraged residents of the Marianas to “finish storm preparations by sunset on Saturday as the onset of damaging winds will be soon thereafter.”

This storm watch update is brought to you by senatorial candidates Clynt Ridgell, “Let’s Grow Guam Together”; Sabrina Salas Matanane, “Bri the Difference”; and Chief Energy Partners, “Your Power. Your Terms. Your Lifestyle.” Special thanks to sponsors Donna Muna Quinata, “Driven to Serve”; Burger King; and MacTech Guam.

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