Tropical storm watch in effect

A tropical storm watch was hoisted yesterday for Saipan, Tinian, Pagan, Agrihan, and Alamagan due to the possible effects of the Tropical Storm Cimaron.

As of 7pm yesterday, Aug. 19, the National Weather Service in Tiyan, Guam, said that a typhoon warning remains in effect for Agrihan, Pagan and Alamagan. Destructive winds of 74 mph or more are expected this afternoon or evening.

A tropical storm watch remains in effect for Saipan and Tinian. Damaging winds of 39 to 73 mph are possible within the next 24 to 36 hours.

Tropical Storm Cimaron continues to move west-northwest at 14 mph but tropical storm conditions are possible within the next 36 to 48 hours within the Marianas. Cimaron is expected to make a slight turn toward the northwest with little change in forward speed over the next 24 hours. Maximum sustained winds have increased to 50 mph. Tropical Storm Cimaron is forecast to intensify today.

A flash flood watch also remains in effect for Guam and the Northern Marianas due to heavy downpours that could produce 4 to 8 inches of rain through Wednesday.

Tropical storm force winds extend outward from the center up to 145 miles on the eastern semicircle and up to 100 miles on the western semicircle.

Because of the anticipated threat of Tropical Storm Cimaron, Gov. Ralph DLG Torres has “maintained” Tropical Storm Condition III for the islands of Saipan and Tinian and is “maintaining” Typhoon Condition II for the islands of Agrihan, Pagan and Alamagan as of 8pm last night.

Typhoon Condition II means that destructive winds of 74 mph or more are possible within 24hrs.

Tropical Storm Condition III means that damaging winds of 39mph to 73 mph are possible in the next 36 to 48 hours.

Mariners are encouraged to make all necessary preparations to return to port, seek safe harbor, and secure their craft. Residents of affected areas are also encouraged to avoid interisland travel by boat through Tuesday.

The NWS is urging residents of affected areas review their preparedness plan and be ready to implement it should a warning be issued.

As of 2pm yesterday, the center of Tropical Storm Cimaron was located about 390 miles east of Saipan, 400 miles east of Tinian, 405 miles east-southeast of Alamagan, 450 miles east-southeast of Agrihan, and 480 miles east-northeast of Guam. The storm was moving northwest at 8 mph, with a strength of 45 mph.

Tropical Storm Cimaron will slowly intensify and could possibly become a typhoon today. Cimaron is expected to maintain a west-northwest track through Tuesday.

Cimaron could also bring dangerous surf of up to 10 or 12 feet.

In other news, at 10:27am yesterday, an 8.2 magnitude earthquake occurred around the Fiji region. NWS said that there was no tsunami threat for the CNMI.

“Currently, there are no reports of injuries or damages and no tsunami warnings or advisories were issued by the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center,” the NWS advisory stated.