Tropical Storm Watch

...TROPICAL STORM SAUDEL TREKS NORTHWEST TOWARD THE FAR NORTHERN MARIANAS...

.NEW INFORMATION... None.

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

.WATCHES/WARNINGS... A Tropical Storm Watch continues for Tinian and Saipan. A Tropical Storm Watch means that tropical storm force winds of at least 39 mph are possible within 48 hours.

.STORM INFORMATION... At 8 PM ChST...the center of Tropical Storm Saudel (17W) was located near latitude 12.3N...longitude 150.6E. This was about 400 miles east of Guam. Storm motion was northwest, 320 degrees, at 7 mph. Storm intensity was 40 mph.

.SITUATION OVERVIEW... Though the forward speed has decreased, a quicker motion is expected to resume Friday. The latest forecast track has shifted a little farther west and now brings damaging winds closer to Saipan and Tinian. Saudel, having struggled to get better organized earlier today, is now showing signs of improving organization, which should result in a steady intensification heading into Friday midday, perhaps with a period of rapid intensification later Friday into Saturday. Saudel could become a typhoon Friday night and pass through the far Northern Mariana Islands as an intensifying category 3 typhoon. However, it is too early to provide exact wind and surge forecast values for specific locations.