Special Weather Statement

Winds, seas, and surf will increase over the next several days as the broad monsoon pattern surges to the south of Tropical Depression 26W, which is expected to continue to develop near the Marianas and pass through the northern CNMI on Friday. Current guidance suggests the highest winds and seas will initially be felt across the outer islands between Yap and Chuuk Lagoon, as the monsoon surge develops and shifts westward. Then, winds will increase for Palau and Yap through the weekend leading to increasingly choppy seas, potentially becoming hazardous to small craft late Sunday as sustained winds increase to near 22 knots. In the meantime, moderate to fresh west to southwest winds prevail across the region. Interisland travel will be hazardous over the next few days. Additionally, surf will increase along north and west-facing reefs of Yap and Chuuk, potentially becoming hazardous this weekend. Scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms are expected over the next few days for Palau and Yap with numerous showers developing farther north, with ensemble model guidance showing accumulations of 1 to 3 inches possible for Yap Island, and the outer islands of Yap and Chuuk States, and 1 to 2 inches for Palau, through the weekend.