The National Weather Service office in Guam has issued a Typhoon Watch for Guam, Rota, Tinian, and Saipan in the Mariana Islands while a Tropical Storm Warning remains in effect for Ulul and Polowat in Chuuk State and Satawal in Yap State; a tropical depression was upgraded to tropical storm status earlier today and it is likely the system will become a typhoon soon. In the Pacific, tropical cyclones that reach hurricane force sustained winds are classified as hurricanes east of the International Date Line or as typhoons west of the International Date Line. As of the latest update from the National Weather Service office in Tiyan, Guam, Mawar has maximum sustained winds of 50 mph and was moving north-northwest at 5 mph.
According to the National Weather Service, Mawar is expected to maintain a general north-northwest direction with a slight increase in forward speed over the next 24 hours. Mawar is also forecast to intensify through tonight and become a typhoon by tomorrow.
Right now, Mawar is about 40 miles south of Polowat, about 155 miles east-southeast of Satawal, about 155 miles south-southwest of Ulul. about 200 miles west-southwest of Chuuk, about 250 miles west of Losap, about 570 miles south-southeast of Guam, about 595 miles south-southeast of Rota, about 640 miles south-southeast of Tinian, about 645 miles south-southeast of Saipan, and about 785 miles east-southeast of Yap.
Guam is the territory of the United States and is the largest and southernmost of the Mariana Islands and the largest island in Micronesia. The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) emerged from the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands (TTPI) which the United States administered on behalf of the United Nations from 1947 until Palau, the last member of the TTPI to choose its own political future, became an independent country 1994. The National Weather Service Office in Guam issues forecasts, advisories, and warnings for the area. The Joint Typhoon Warning Center, based in Honolulu, issues products for cyclones between the Equator and 25 N and between 180-130 East.
The National Weather Service, which has a Typhoon Watch up for Guam and surrounding islands, warns people: “When making decisions…do not focus on the exact forecast track,” adding that “it is too early to provide exact wind and surge forecast values for specific locations in the Marianas. A general concern should be for the possibility of at least extensive damage somewhere within Mariana Islands.”
For those under a watch, now is the time for those people to begin preparing their home or business according to their typhoon disaster plan. People in the Marianas are encouraged to listen for possible warnings and be ready to evacuate if necessary. “Heed the advice of local officials and comply with any orders that are issued,” the National Weather Service cautioned in their latest update.
The National Weather Service has also shared other relevant advice: “For interests at ports, docks and marinas, it is recommended that you perform the prescribed preparations according to your emergency operations plan for tropical cyclones. If you live on a boat, begin to safely secure your craft and make plans to leave it for adequate land-based shelter. Listen for possible warnings. Regarding the coastal waters under a watch, small craft should return to port or seek.
Just weeks ago, Tropical Storm Sanvu hit Micronesia. From April 19 to April 22, the tropical storm lashed the region with heavy rain and gust winds. Pohnpei was the hardest hit of the islands, with 5 reported injuries and numerous trees down, including many that fell on and damaged homes.
