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Champi reaches Category 2; Category 3 forecast near Guam
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Classes suspended October 19; school shelters continue operating
Guam’s education department announced that public schools will close October 19 so officials can assess damage from Typhoon Champi, Guam News Network reported on October 18. Six schools already serving as emergency evacuation centres will continue shelter operations, with occupants remaining in place and receiving support. Elementary school parent-teacher conferences have also been postponed until further notice. For families, the announcement establishes separate arrangements: classes are suspended, while shelter services at the school sites continue.
Guam News Network: GDOE schools closed Monday for Champi damage assessment
Eye passes offshore; typhoon warnings continue for Guam and Rota
Champi’s eye passed about 10 miles south of Guam’s southern tip around 4:26 a.m. ChST on October 18, the National Weather Service said. Its 12:02 p.m. statement cancelled the tropical-storm warning and typhoon watch for Tinian and Saipan, while typhoon warnings continued for Guam and Rota. The compact eyewall missed Guam, but outer rainbands continued crossing the island, with tropical-storm winds and occasional gusts around 75 mph. The offshore passage therefore did not establish an all-clear: NWS continued advising residents to remain inside until one was given.
National Weather Service Tiyan: Super Typhoon Champi local statements, October 18, 2026
Radar estimates 1–2 inches of rain; warning continues overnight
Radar estimated 1–2 inches of rain had fallen across Guam by 9:23 p.m. local time on October 17 (11:23 UTC), the National Weather Service said. Flash flooding was ongoing or expected shortly, with a warning continuing until 3:30 a.m. October 18. Forecasters anticipate 8–14 inches over Champi’s passage; that figure represents the projected storm total. A separate 9:19 p.m. statement forecasts winds of 110–135 mph on Guam early Sunday. The larger rainfall total and stronger local winds remain forecasts, while the radar estimate describes rain already fallen.
NWS Guam: Typhoon Champi Local Statement, October 17, 9:19 p.m. ChST · NWS Guam: Flash Flood Statement, October 17, 9:23 p.m. ChST
Sustained winds reach 130 mph; Category 4 passage forecast
Typhoon Champi’s maximum sustained winds increased to an estimated 130 mph at 7 p.m. Guam time on October 17 (09:00 UTC), the National Weather Service said, classifying it as Category 4. Its center was about 140 miles east-southeast of Guam. Forecasters now expect it to pass just south of Guam as a Category 4 typhoon. Typhoon warnings remain in effect for Guam and Rota. The wind estimate describes the cyclone’s intensity offshore; its projected passage remains a forecast.
NWS: Typhoon Champi Advisory 12, issued October 17 at 7:25 p.m. Guam time
Readiness measures take effect as officials urge safer shelter
Guam entered Condition of Readiness 1 at 1 p.m. local time on October 17, Guam News Network reported. The status means destructive winds are possible within 12 hours. Officials advised residents in southern coastal, flood-prone areas to seek safer shelter. They forecast Champi passing just south of or over southern Guam late October 17 into October 18 as a Category 3 typhoon. The projected strength and track remain forecasts.
KUAM: Guam will be placed in COR 1 at 1pm · Guam enters COR 1 as Category 3 Typhoon Champi nears Marianas
Sustained winds reach 100 mph as warnings continue for Guam and Rota
Typhoon Champi’s sustained winds increased to 100 mph at 1 p.m. Guam time on October 17, making it a Category 2 storm, the National Weather Service said. Its center was about 225 miles east-southeast of Guam. Forecasters expected further strengthening to Category 3 before a passage just south of or over Guam on the morning of October 18, although the exact track remained uncertain. The higher category describes forecast strength, rather than conditions already observed. Typhoon warnings remained in effect for Guam and Rota.
National Weather Service: Typhoon Champi local statement, October 17, 3:06 p.m. ChST