Super Typhoon Champi Heads Toward Taiwan and Eastern China

Super Typhoon Champi has emerged as one of the most powerful storms of 2026, currently traversing the western Pacific Ocean. The storm reached peak winds of 185 mph, tying it with Super Typhoon Sinlaku for the strongest sustained winds recorded this year.

As of the latest reports, Champi is located east of the Philippines and southeast of Taiwan, advancing west-northwest at 15 mph. Although it has slightly weakened to maximum sustained winds of 175 mph, it is expected to bring significant rainfall and strong winds to Taiwan and eastern China through the weekend.

Heavy rain is anticipated to begin affecting Taiwan on Thursday night and continue into Saturday, with totals potentially reaching 18 inches, particularly in northeastern regions. Wind gusts could reach up to 120 mph, posing risks of flooding, mudslides, structural damage, and transportation disruptions.