Super Typhoon Champi strengthened significantly on 21 October as it moved across the northwestern Pacific, with forecasts pointing to severe weather across parts of East Asia in the coming days.

Estimates of Champi’s intensity vary between the information currently circulated in the media. One assessment placed maximum sustained winds at around 210 km/h, while other reports cited sustained or peak winds of 290-296 km/h.

The Weather Network described Champi as the world’s strongest tropical cyclone of 2026 so far by wind speed, while another assessment called it one of the strongest typhoons in the Northwest Pacific this year.

On the morning of 21 October, the storm’s centre was reported around 800 km east-southeast of Luzon, the Philippines. Champi was expected to continue west-northwest over the following 24 hours before gradually turning towards the northwest from 22 October.

The Philippines could experience heavy rainfall across northern provinces on Wednesday and Thursday.

Forecasts indicate that Champi will then pass close to Taiwan, with the island expecting its strongest effects on Friday and Saturday. Northern and eastern areas could face heavy rain and strong winds, while Taiwan's authorities were considering sea and land warnings.

Forecasts further suggest a direct strike on Taiwan is unlikely. The storm is expected to weaken as it moves northwards into an environment with lower sea-surface temperatures, with other projections also anticipating reduced intensity later in the week.

Champi is subsequently forecast to track along China’s eastern seaboard, including Shanghai. Despite continued weakening, severe winds and rainfall are still expected before the system reaches Japan on Sunday, when the Hong Kong Observatory expects it to have weakened to a severe tropical storm.

Forecasts remain subject to change as Champi develops and progresses along its projected path.