Special Weather Statement

A developing tropical disturbance, Invest 99W, is quickly approaching the islands of the northern CNMI. The Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) has issued a Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert (TCFA) for 99W. This means that development into a significant tropical cyclone is likely within the next 24 hours. What this means for the northern CNMI of Alamagan, Pagan and Agrihan is that you can expect an increase in showers and thunderstorms with strong gusty winds as 99W moves past. Invest 99W is currently not expected to move through the northern CNMI stronger than a Tropical Depression. However, as with all tropical cyclones, this could change.

Invest 99W is currently moving fairly quickly, which is a good thing for the northern CNMI. At the current speed, 99W looks to pass through the region near Alamagan Saturday morning or early afternoon, not becoming a Tropical Storm until later in the day, west of the islands. Invest 99W will be monitored over the next 24 hours for any significant changes in expectations and the residents of the northern CNMI should continue to monitor forecasts for any changes to the current expectations. For now, prepare for increasing rainfall, with isolated thunderstorms and strong gusty winds within the heavier showers. Only 1 to 2 inches of rainfall is expected, with gusts up to 40 mph possible.

For more information on Invest 99W, see bulletins issued by JTWC under WMO header ABPW10 PGTW and WTPN21 PGTW.