Tropical Storm Watch

...TROPICAL STORM SAUDEL IS PASSING WELL EAST OF GUAM AND ROTA AS IT CONTINUES MOVING NORTHWEST TOWARDS THE FAR NORTHERN MARIANAS...

.NEW INFORMATION... None.

.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... At 1 PM ChST...the center of Tropical Storm Saudel (17W) was located near latitude 14.7N...longitude 149.0E. This was about 290 miles east-northeast of Guam. Saudel is moving north-northwest, 325 degrees, at 13 mph. It is expected to make a slight turn toward the northwest with little change in forward speed through Saturday. Storm intensity was 45 mph.

.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.