Tropical Storm Watch

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

.NEW INFORMATION... A Typhoon Warning is now in affect for Pagan and Agrihan. A Tropical Storm Warning is now 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 is now 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 is now 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 700 AM CHST...2100 UTC...the center of Tropical Storm Saudel was located near Latitude 14.1 degrees North and Longitude 149.3 degrees East, about 305 miles east of Guam and 250 miles east-southeast of Saipan. Saudel is moving northwest at 13 mph. It is expected to maintain this general course and speed through through Saturday.

Maximum sustained winds remain at 45 mph. Saudel is forecast to intensify through tonight, possibly becoming a typhoon. Saudel could become a typhoon late this evening and pass through the far Northern Mariana Islands on Saturday as an intensifying category 3 typhoon.

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