Typhoon Warning Issued for Guam, Rota as Storm Champi Nears the Marianas
The National Weather Service's office in Tiyan, Guam, issued a Typhoon Warning for Guam and Rota and a Tropical Storm Warning for Tinian and Saipan at 4:11 p.m. ChST (0611 UTC) on Oct. 16, 2026, as Tropical Storm Champi (29W), packing sustained winds of 50 mph, tracked toward the Mariana Islands. The storm's center was about 590 miles east-southeast of Guam and about 300 miles north-northeast of Chuuk, moving west at 24 mph.
The warning is an escalation of the Typhoon Watch the office issued for the same four islands on Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026, when the storm was still an unnamed, 35-mph tropical depression. A Typhoon Watch continues for Tinian and Saipan, and a Flood Watch is in effect for all of Guam and the Northern Marianas.
The office told residents to move small, loose objects indoors, identify shelter in advance and stock several days of food and water, adding that those without access to a concrete shelter should look for a cave or similar space and secure food crops or other property as they are able.
Champi is forecast to keep intensifying over the next few days, likely becoming a typhoon by Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026, and to track close to or over Guam early Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026, the office said.
