Tropical Storm Warning

...TROPICAL STORM HIGOS MOVING WEST, AWAY FROM TINIAN AND SAIPAN...

.NEW INFORMATION... None.

.AREAS AFFECTED... This local statement provides important information and recommended actions for people in Tinian and Saipan.

.Watches/Warnings... A Tropical Storm Warning remains in effect for Tinian and Saipan.

A Tropical Storm Warning means damaging winds of 39 mph or more are occurring or will occur shortly.

.STORM INFORMATION... At 7 PM ChST...the center of Tropical Storm Higos (08W) was located near latitude 15.0N, longitude 144.4E. This was about 80 miles west of Tinian, 90 miles west of Saipan, and 110 miles north-northwest of Guam. Storm motion was west, 275 degrees, at 9 mph. Storm intensity was 40 mph.

.SITUATION OVERVIEW... The center of Tropical Storm Higos has moved west of Tinian and Saipan coastal waters and is expected to continue moving westward and away from the islands tonight. Higos remains highly asymmetrical and disorganized, and sustained damaging winds of around 40 mph extend outward up to 80 miles to the north of the center. Based on surface observation trends at Saipan, sustained winds continue to decrease well below tropical storm force speeds, but frequent strong gusts of 30 to 35 mph are still occurring. Tropical storm force gusts to 40 mph remain possible. The latest forecast from the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) keeps Tinian and Saipan just within the tropical storm force wind field, and TS winds are still expected throughout the western coastal waters. As Higos moves farther west to west-northwest, winds are expected to continue to decrease tonight, which may allow the Tropical Storm Warning to be cancelled. Additionally, the heaviest rainfall will continue to shift away from the islands. In the meantime, moderate to heavy rain and strong gusts are expected to continue through the next few hours.

.PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...