Darilaut – Super Typhoon Champi, which recorded the strongest sustained wind speeds globally in 2026, weakened slightly east of Taiwan—or southwest of Japan—on Friday morning (October 23).
Classified as a “Very Strong Typhoon,” Champi was located 440 km southeast of Taipei and 404 km east of Kaohsiung, Taiwan, and 580 km southwest of Naha, Okinawa, Japan.
The storm—designated as Japan’s 30th typhoon of the season—is currently moving northwest at a speed of 15 km/h (9 knots).
The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) reports that the system has a central pressure of 950 hPa (hectopascals).
According to the JMA, Champi’s maximum sustained wind speed near its center is 45 meters per second (85 knots), with peak instantaneous gusts reaching 60 meters per second (120 knots).
The area experiencing winds of 50 knots or greater extends 330 km (180 nautical miles) to the northwest and 280 km (150 nautical miles) to the southeast. Meanwhile, the area with strong winds of 30 knots or greater spans 850 km (450 nautical miles) to the north and 650 km (350 nautical miles) to the south, the JMA stated.
Strongest Sustained Winds of 2026
Data from the Copernicus Marine Service indicates that Super Typhoon Champi generated waves reaching 10 meters in height east of the Philippines.
