Super typhoon Champi reaches Category 5 intensity

Super typhoon Champi has intensified into a Category 5 cyclone, becoming the most powerful storm of 2026 in terms of wind speed. The system has recorded sustained winds of approximately 296 to 298 km/h, with gusts exceeding 350 km/h. Its central pressure has dropped to 895 hPa, making it the second most intense system of the year after Hurricane Polo, which holds the record for the lowest central pressure at 892 hPa.

The typhoon developed in the warm waters of the Western Pacific, fueled by sea surface temperatures around 30°C. After impacting the island of Guam, the storm is moving toward the West and Northwest, currently positioned northeast of the Philippines. The system features a large eye measuring between 25 and 35 km, creating a stadium-like effect. Authorities in Southeast Asia remain on high alert as the storm continues its trajectory.