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Disturbance to pass through Marianas today
May develop into a tropical depression as it passes
A tropical disturbance that is being monitored east of the CNMI may become a tropical depression when it passes through the region today.
As of 6pm yesterday, the Joint Typhoon Warning Center issued a tropical cyclone formation alert, meaning the disturbance may become a tropical depression within the next 12 to 24 hours.
“It’s possible, it’s developing,” National Weather Service-Guam weather forecaster Mike Ziobro told Saipan Tribune. “It might be right over us when it becomes a depression.”
NWS said residents of the Marianas should stay informed especially if the disturbance develops faster than expected.
In a weather statement released last night, NWS and the CNMI Homeland Security and Emergency Management said the disturbance is expected to pass through the Marianas today as it moves west-northwest.
Showers and thunderstorms were expected to increase last night as the system approached the Marianas.
Heaviest showers are possible during the passage of the disturbance as well as winds of 25 to 35 miles per hour with gusts to 45 miles per hour.
For Saipan and Tinian waters, gusty northeast winds were expected to develop, while gusty southwest winds was expected on Rota.
“It’s possible to get higher gusts especially for the coastal areas,” Ziobro said.
NWS and HSEM advised mariners to avoid boating as seas are expected to build into a range of 10 to 15 feet and is hazardous for the operation of small craft.
Showers and thunderstorms with occasional lightning are also expected tonight.
Ziobro said models show that the disturbance is expected to further develop after it passes the Marianas and when it is over the Philippine Sea.
Rainy weather conditions may still be experienced in the coming days.
Ziobro said the wet weather pattern could be expected the entire week as another circulation, although still weak, is being monitored further east of the CNMI.
