Environment · 2026-10-22 · Morning briefing

Typhoon Champi hits 185 mph, becoming 2026's strongest storm

Super Typhoon Champi became the world's strongest storm of 2026 on Tuesday, with sustained winds peaking at 185 miles per hour (290 kph) in the Philippine Sea. According to the Joint Typhoon Warning Center, the storm is currently located 430 nautical miles south of Japan's Kadena Air Base and is tracking northwest. Its winds have since moderated to 175 mph, and forecasters expect it to weaken over the next day.

Champi's peak intensity far surpasses that of the year's strongest Atlantic storm, Hurricane Isaias, which recorded winds of 120 mph. It also narrowly eclipsed the northeastern Pacific's most powerful cyclone, Hurricane Polo, which reached 178 mph in September. While Champi is the global record-holder for 2026, two other storms in the same region, Typhoon Sinlaku in April and Typhoon Bavi in July, previously reached a similar strength.

Summary written by Cup of News with AI from the sources below. Check the originals for the full story.

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• Super Typhoon Champi live updates & path: Strongest storm on Earth in 2026 lashes Pacific with 175 mph winds
• Guam Governor Lou Leon Guerrero reports minimal damage as Typhoon Champi peaks at 185 mph
• Champi slams Guam after rapidly intensifying into violent typhoon, bringing life-threatening conditions
• Super Typhoon Champi intensifies to a Cat 5 after battering Guam
• Super Typhoon Champi intensifies to become strongest storm on Earth in 2026 equivalent of Category 5

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