Special Weather Statement

Invest 96W has been upgraded to Tropical Depression 29W, and is currently located northeast of Pohnpei near 9.6N 161.2E. 29W will continue to develop and strengthen just north of the region, and will generally head towards the Marianas. Convergent fresh to strong westerlies south of 29W's center are producing bands of scattered to numerous showers capable of strong gusts and locally heavy rainfall, across Pohnpei and their coastal waters, and Gusty winds across Kosrae and their costal waters. Ensemble model guidance suggests rainfall amounts of 2 to 4 inches will be possible for Pohnpei through late Friday night as 29W strengthens and passes north of the island. Gusts to 30 knots will be possible near heavier showers. Moderate to strong winds with gusts to near-gale for Kosrae through this afternoon as conditions start to ease there.

Gusty winds and elevated, choppy seas will make marine conditions hazardous to small craft, and inter-island travel is discouraged. For more information on TD 29W, see bulletins issued by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center under WMO header WTPN32 PGTW and by the National Weather Service under WMO header WTPQ32 PGUM.