Champi, the strongest typhoon of the year, but not the largest ever

Super Typhoon Champi, while the strongest of 2026, fell short of historical records for intensity. With sustained winds of 296 km/h, it is categorized as a Category 5 storm but did not surpass the maximum wind speeds of previous storms like Typhoon Tip or Hurricane Patricia. Champi has caused significant damage in Guam and the Philippines, and is expected to bring heavy rainfall and flooding risks to Taiwan and Japan. The Pacific Northwest has seen an increase in super typhoons this year, influenced by El Niño, while the Atlantic remains below average for storm activity.