Special Weather Statement

30W was upgraded to Tropical Storm In-fa over the northern Marshall Islands at 700 AM ChST this morning, located near 10.6N 166.3E, or 120 miles north-northeast of Ujae Atoll, south of Bikini and Rongelap Atolls. In-fa has maximum sustained winds of 40 mph, which extend outward 115 miles to the southeast, 105 miles to the southwest, 100 miles to the northwest, and 40 miles to the northeast. This keeps Ujae Atoll just outside the direct tropical storm-force wind field, but strong sustained west to southwest winds with damaging tropical storm-force gusts are expected through at least tonight as In-fa begins to meander generally northward. The worst impacts will be felt for islands and atolls across the northern and central Marshall Islands, especially for west-facing exposures along the Ralik Chain, such as Ujae, Enewetak, and Kwajalein Atolls. To the south of In-fa, expect surging west to southwest winds of 20 to 30 knots with gusts up to 45 knots, especially near heavier showers or outflow boundaries. Boats should be safely secured away from west or south- facing exposures, if possible. Significant boat damage has been reported along west reefs already.

Seas will be hazardous to small craft throughout much of the central and northern RMI, and dangerous within the tropical storm-force winds closer to the center of In-fa. Do not attempt inter-island travel. Even within the relatively calmer lagoon-side waters, inter- island travel is strongly discouraged. Passing showers may produce sudden strong to gale-force gusts, which will create locally dangerous conditions. West to southwest swells will build to the south of In- fa through the rest of the weekend, leading to elevated, potentially hazardous surf along west- and south-facing reefs of the central and northern RMI, mainly to the north and northwest of Majuro.

Currently, In-fa is nearly-stationary, with its recent motion showing a slight southeastward drift at around 1 mph, but is forecast to begin slowly meandering north-northeast, then north-northwest through this afternoon. Then, In-fa will see a slight increase in forward speed through Sunday as it begins to exit the Marshall Islands. Winds and seas will begin to ease through Sunday night, but sea conditions may remain hazardous to small craft across the northern Marshalls through Monday night. Light winds and a drier ridging pattern look to set up across the region by the end of the week. This situation will be closely monitored for additional impacts to the Marshall Islands.

For more information on Tropical Storm In-fa, please refer to bulletins from the Joint Typhoon Warning Center under WMO header WTPN31 PGTW and from the National Weather Service under WMO header WTPQ31 PGUM.