The HKO also noted the possibility that the cyclone could move closer to the region surrounding Taiwan and Fujian.
Tropical Cyclone Champi is expected to move toward the waters east of Taiwan over the coming days.
According to the HKO, as of 8:00 PM local time on Wednesday, Super Typhoon Champi was moving in a west-northwesterly direction at a speed of approximately 18 kilometers per hour.
Champi—the 30th typhoon of the season—has reached the intensity of a “Violent Typhoon.” According to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), the system is moving west-northwest at a speed of 20 km/h (12 knots), with a central pressure of 900 hPa (hectopascals).
Champi packs maximum sustained winds of 60 meters per second (115 knots) near its center, with peak instantaneous gusts reaching 85 meters per second (165 knots).
The JMA reports that the area experiencing winds of 50 knots or greater extends 280 km (150 nautical miles) to the northeast and 220 km (120 nautical miles) to the southwest. The area with winds of 30 knots or greater spans 650 km (350 nautical miles) to the northeast and 500 km (270 nautical miles) to the southwest.
The Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) notes that maximum significant wave heights have reached 18.3 meters (60 feet).
Over the next 24 hours, the JTWC expects Champi to continue moving northwest. While wind shear will remain low during this period, cooler sea surface temperatures and lower ocean heat content are expected to trigger rapid weakening.
