Super Typhoon Champi has become the strongest tropical cyclone of 2026 by wind speed, reaching sustained winds of 184mph (296km/h), making it the equivalent of a Category 5 hurricane.

The storm recently passed Guam and is currently moving through the western Pacific. Meteorologists say unusually warm ocean temperatures, high moisture levels and low wind shear helped fuel its rapid intensification.

What's particularly interesting is that Champi's impacts may extend far beyond the Pacific. Forecasters say the storm is large enough to influence the jet stream, potentially affecting weather patterns as far away as Canada over the coming weeks.

Champi is expected to weaken later this week, but it remains one of the most powerful storms recorded anywhere in the world this year.