Tropical Storm Watch

...TROPICAL STORM SAUDEL IS PASSING WELL NORTHEAST OF TINIAN AND SAIPAN AS IT CONTINUES MOVING NORTHWEST TOWARDS THE FAR NORTHERN MARIANAS...

.NEW INFORMATION... While little change has been observed in the storm motion the last few cycles, the center has wobbled considerably to the west, which in addition an expanded wind field, slightly increasing chances for TS winds to linger over Tinian and Saipan coastal waters. Even so, the wide TS wind field is expected to contract a little over the next 12 hours, leaving little room for damaging winds to ensue across Tinian and Saipan. Even so, as a precaution, a Tropical Storm Watch remains in effect for Tinian and Saipan at this time. For the other islands affected, a Typhoon Warning remains in effect for Pagan and Agrihan, meanwhile a Tropical Storm Warning and a Typhoon Watch remain in effect for Alamagan.

.AREAS AFFECTED... This local statement provides important information and recommended actions for people in the CNMI, especially for the far Northern Marianas.

.WATCHES/WARNINGS... A Typhoon Warning remains in effect for Pagan and Agrihan in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. Typhoon force winds of 74 mph or more are expected, with the onset of damaging winds of 39 mph or greater expected after midnight.

A Tropical Storm Warning remains in effect for Alamagan in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm force winds of 39 to 73 mph are expected after midnight.

A Typhoon Watch remains in effect for Alamagan in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. A Typhoon Watch means that typhoon force winds of 74 mph or more are possible, depending on a westward shift in the track of Tropical Storm Saudel.

A Tropical Storm Watch remains in effect for Tinian, Saipan, and adjacent coastal waters. A Tropical Storm Watch means that tropical storm force winds of 39 to 73 mph are only possible if there is a significant westward shift in the track of Tropical Storm Saudel today or tonight.

A Small Craft Advisory will be in effect for Tinian and Saipan beginning this afternoon. Please check the latest public and marine forecasts for detailed information about additional hazards.

.STORM INFORMATION... Tropical Storm Saudel (17W) is centered near 15N148E, just around 165 miles east of Saipan. Saudel is moving north-northwest at 9 mph, with maximum sustained winds now at 70 mph near the center. This system is expected to continue to barrel toward the far northern Marianas, making a slight turn toward the northwest and move a little faster come Saturday. By then, Saudel is likely to become a typhoon as it passes over Pagan and Agrihan.

.SITUATION OVERVIEW... Tropical Storm Saudel is expected to gradually intensify over the next few days, perhaps with a period of rapid intensification later this evening into Saturday. Saudel could become a typhoon Saturday and pass through the far Northern Mariana Islands as an intensifying category 3 typhoon.