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Tropical Storm Watch
ActiveTinian; Saipan
Status
In Progress
Started about 1 hour ago
Ends
Issued
Severity
Severe
Urgency
Future
Certainty
Possible
Details
...26W UPGRADED TO TROPICAL STORM AS IT APPROACHES THE NORTHERN CNMI... ...TROPICAL STORM WARNING NOW IN EFFECT FOR ALAMAGAN AND PAGAN... ...TYPHOON WATCH NOW IN EFFECT FOR ALAMAGAN AND PAGAN...
.NEW INFORMATION... 26W has been upgraded to a Tropical Storm. A Tropical Storm Warning is now in effect for Alamagan and Pagan in the CNMI. A Typhoon Watch is now in effect for Alamagan and Pagan. A Tropical Storm Watch remains in effect for Tinian, Saipan, and Agrihan in the CNMI.
.AREAS AFFECTED... This local statement provides information and recommended actions for people on Saipan, Tinian, Agrihan, Pagan and Alamagan in the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas.
.Watches/Warnings... A Tropical Storm Warning is now in effect for Alamagan and Pagan in the CNMI.
A Typhoon Watch is now in effect for Alamagan and Pagan.
A Tropical Storm Watch remains in effect for Tinian, Saipan, and adjacent coastal waters.
A Tropical Storm Watch remains in effect for Agrihan in the CNMI.
A Typhoon Watch means that typhoon conditions, including winds of 74 mph or more, are possible within 48 hours.
A Tropical Storm Watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the next 48 hours somewhere within the specified areas.
A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected within 24 hours.
All persons in the watch areas should review their preparedness plan and begin to take actions to prepare for conditions as indicated by your local forecast and additional details, below, for your island.
.STORM INFORMATION... At 3 AM ChST, the center of Tropical Storm 26W was located near latitude 16.1N, longitude 150.5E. This was about 325 miles east- northeast of Saipan, 325 miles east-southeast of Alamagan, and 420 miles east-northeast of Guam. Storm motion was west- northwest, 285 degrees, at 5 mph. Storm intensity was 40 mph. The current forecast track reflects an intensifying 26W will move into the CNMI on Friday, curving north-northeast as it nears Alamagan Friday night as a Category 1 typhoon, then pass near Pagan and east of Agrihan Saturday.
.SITUATION OVERVIEW... Tropical Storm 26W has slowed down, and the latest forecast track no longer reflects a full passage moving to the west of the islands. 26W will continue west through Thursday night, making a turn to the northwest Friday morning as it begins to approach Alamagan from the south, turning sharply northward, then north- northeastward late Friday night, which will bring it near Pagan and east of Agrihan through Saturday. This sharper northward turn will pull the tropical storm force wind field slightly further north, with the latest forecast still including Saipan and northern parts of Tinian briefly within the southern edge of the TS winds. This forecasted passage over Alamagan and Pagan will prolong the duration of damaging winds across the northern islands, likely leading to a lengthy period of time of damaging to destructive tropical storm conditions beginning Thursday evening and continuing into Sunday afternoon. 26W is forecast to strengthen to a typhoon Friday morning as it approaches Alamagan, which would bring Alamagan, and later Pagan, directly within the typhoon force winds Friday night through early Saturday morning. So, a Typhoon Watch has been issued for Alamagan and Pagan, and a Tropical Storm Warning has been issued for Alamagan and Pagan.
...NEW INFORMATION... A Coastal Flood Watch, Flash Flood Watch, and High Surf Advisory have been issued.
Instructions
Keep informed while listening for possible warnings. Secure loose outdoor objects which can be blown around. Strongly consider evacuating if you live in a metal roof or container home, and do so if ordered by local officials.
Take small loose object indoors. Identify suitable shelter. Stock up a few days worth of food and water. If no concrete shelter is available, look for a cave or something similar. Take action to protect food crops or other possessions as appropriate.
.WIND INFORMATION... Northerly winds of 10 to 15 mph will turn toward the northwest, then southwest and increase through Friday as 26W moves into the northern CNMI and strengthens, potentially becoming a typhoon Friday morning as it approaches Alamagan from the south. Tropical storm force winds of 39 to 50 mph may begin by Friday morning. Depending on the track and intensity, winds may increase to strong tropical storm-force of 58 to 65 mph early Saturday morning. Typhoon force winds greater than 74 mph look to remain just east of Agrihan at this time.
.COASTAL INUNDATION AND SURF INFORMATION... Surf will initially build to 8 to 11 ft along east-facing reefs through Friday morning, then spread along north and west-facing reefs as the center moves north-northeast through the northern CNMI Friday night through Saturday night, increasing to 12 to 16 ft. As 26W continues to strengthen, hazardous surf will continue to increase. Then, as 26W begins to move away from the northern CNMI late Saturday, surf will build by several feet along south facing reefs as well, likely becoming hazardous. Coastal inundation of 1 to 2 feet will be possible along all reefs.
.OTHER STORM EFFECTS... Widespread locally heavy showers could produce rainfall totals of 8 to 15 inches by early Monday morning, with locally heavier amounts possible.
Take small loose object indoors. Identify suitable shelter. Stock up a few days worth of food and water. If no concrete shelter is available, look for a cave or something similar. Take action to protect food crops or other possessions as appropriate.
.WIND INFORMATION... Northerly winds of 10 to 15 mph will turn toward the northwest, then southwest and increase through Friday as 26W moves into the northern CNMI and strengthens, potentially becoming a typhoon Friday morning as it approaches Alamagan from the south. Tropical storm force winds of 39 to 50 mph are expected to begin by early Friday morning. Depending on the track and intensity, winds may increase to strong tropical storm-force of 58 to 65 mph early Saturday morning. Typhoon force winds greater than 74 mph may begin Friday evening as TS 26W nears Alamagan.
.COASTAL INUNDATION AND SURF INFORMATION... Surf will initially build to 8 to 11 ft along east-facing reefs through Friday morning, then spread along north and west-facing reefs as the center moves north-northeast through the northern CNMI Friday night through Saturday night, increasing to 12 to 16 ft. As 26W continues to strengthen, hazardous surf will continue to increase. Then, as 26W begins to move away from the northern CNMI late Saturday, surf will build by several feet along south facing reefs as well, likely becoming hazardous. Coastal inundation of 1 to 2 feet will be possible along all reefs.
.OTHER STORM EFFECTS... Widespread locally heavy showers could produce rainfall totals of 10 to 20 inches by early Monday morning, with locally heavier amounts possible.
Data from the National Weather Service
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