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Tropical depression has potential to affect Marianas
The CNMI Emergency Operations Center is closely monitoring a tropical depression that has the potential to affect the Commonwealth in the next few days.
Tropical Depression 27W is expected to produce inclement weather for the Mariana Islands by Thursday or Friday, according to information from the National Weather Service in Tiyan, Guam, and Joint Typhoon Warning Center.
At 4pm yesterday, the center of Tropical Depression 27W was about 1,320 miles east-southeast of Guam and 1,320 miles east-southeast of Saipan, moving west at 20 mph. This position reflects a slight relocation farther south than the previous advisory. Tropical Depression 27W has moved due west during the past three to six hours and is expected to gradually turn toward the west-northwest with little change in forward speed over the next 24 to 48 hours. This track could bring the storm toward the Mariana Islands.
Maximum sustained winds are 30 mph. Tropical Depression 27W is forecasted to intensify during the next few days and could become a tropical storm Wednesday.
Scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms along with gusty winds of 15 to 25 mph with gusts of up to 35 mph are expected in the southern Mariana islands starting Thursday and persisting through at least Saturday. Rainfall could be heavy at times, especially Thursday night through Friday night. Stronger winds are possible by the weekend.
Residents of the Marianas should stay informed on the progress of Tropical Depression 27W by keeping up with the latest statements and forecasts. Keep alert for any statements from local officials or call the CNMI Emergency Operations Center at (670) 237-8000 or on HF single side band radio at frequency 5.205.0. (EOC)
