[Diary Point = Reporter Choi Seung-jin] Typhoon Champi, the 30th typhoon of the year, was moving north-northwest in waters east of Taiwan as of the afternoon of Oct. 23. The storm is expected to pass through waters south of Jeju Island on Oct. 25 before heading toward Japan and weakening into an extratropical low on Oct. 26.
According to a typhoon bulletin issued by the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) at 4 p.m. on Oct. 23, Champi was located at 23.7 degrees north latitude and 123.4 degrees east longitude as of 3 p.m. that day. Its central pressure was 960 hPa, with maximum wind speeds of 39 meters per second, placing it at Category 3 strength. The storm was moving north-northwest at 19 km/h, with a gale-force wind radius of 470 km.
Champi is forecast to pass near 24.5 degrees north, 122.9 degrees east at 3 a.m. on Oct. 24, then move to around 26 degrees north, 122.7 degrees east by that afternoon. By 3 a.m. on Oct. 25, it is expected to reach near 27.7 degrees north, 123.4 degrees east, and by 3 p.m. that day, near 29.6 degrees north, 124.7 degrees east. At that point, its maximum wind speed is expected to weaken to 21 meters per second.
By 3 p.m. on Oct. 26, the storm is expected to move to around 32 degrees north, 130.5 degrees east and transition into an extratropical low. The KMA expects the typhoon to transition within 72 hours and plans to issue its next typhoon bulletin around 10 p.m. on Oct. 23.
Under the typhoon's influence, rain is expected in Jeju and southern parts of the Korean mainland over the weekend. Strong winds and high waves are expected along the coasts of Jeju and the South Sea, warranting caution for coastal activities and vessel operations. Since the typhoon's path and intensity may change with further updates, readers are advised to check the latest typhoon bulletins and regional forecasts from the KMA.