Typhoon Champi rapidly intensified to the equivalent of a major hurricane as it moved closer to Guam on Friday night. At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Typhoon Champi was located at latitude 12.6°N and longitude 146.7°E which put the center about 180 miles (295 km) east-southeast of Guam. Champi was moving toward the west at 15 m.p.h. (24 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 130 m.p.h. (210 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 155 m.p.h. (250 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 948 mb.
Typhoon Warnings are in effect for Guam and Rota,
Tropical Storm Warnings are in effect for Tinian and Saipan.
Typhoon Champi rapidly intensified to the equivalent of a major hurricane on Friday night. A small circular eye with a diameter of 6 miles (10 km) was at the center of Champi’s circulation. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the the center of Typhoon Champi. Storms near the center of Champi generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon. The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.
The distribution of wind speed became more symmetrical when Typhoon Champi rapidly intensified. Winds to typhoon force extended out 60 miles (95 km) from the center of Champi’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 130 miles (210 km) from the center of Typhoon Champi.
The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Champi is 25.1. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) is 18.5 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) is 43.6. Typhoon Champi is similar in intensity to Hurricane Harvey when Harvey hit Texas in 2017. Champi is bigger than Harvey was.
Typhoon Champi will move through an environment that will be favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Champi will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28°C. It will move under the southern part of an upper level ridge that is over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The upper level ridge will produce easterly winds that will blow toward the top of Champi’s circulation. Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear. The vertical wind shear will inhibit intensification, but the wind shear will not be enough to prevent intensification. Typhoon Champi will intensify during the next 24 hours. Champi could strengthen to the equivalent of a Category 5 hurricane on Saturday.
Typhoon Champi will move around the southern side of a high pressure system that is over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Champi toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Typhoon Champi will reach Guam in less than 12 hours.
Typhoon Champi is could be the equivalent of a Category 5 hurricane when it reaches Guam. Champi will bring strong winds and heavy rain to Guam, Rota, Tinian and Saipan. The strongest winds and heaviest rain are likely to affect Guam and Rota. Typhoon Champi will be capable of causing severe damage in Guam. Heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods in some locations.
Flood Watches are in effect for Guam, Rota, Tinian and Saipan.