3-5 inches of rain possible through Monday

The Marianas should expect the foul weather to continue through early next week even as Typhoon Krosa continues its northwest to northeastward movement away from the region, according to the National Weather Service in Tiyan, Guam.

As of 1pm yesterday, Krosa was located by satellite near 22.2n 140.5e with sustained winds of 85 mph and drifting northwest at 3mph.

It was tracked 470 miles northwest of Alamagan, 440 miles northwest of Pagan, 410 miles northwest of Agrihan, and 595 miles northwest of Saipan.

While the typhoon is moving away and the strongest of the monsoon flow has shifted west of the Northern Islands, Krosa’s expanding wind field will cause periodic monsoon surges to pass over the region this weekend.

Latest satellite data indicate winds of around 20 mph across the Northern Islands. The monsoon surges over the next several days will also occasionally bring stronger winds of 20 to 30 mph, with gusts possibly up to 35 or 40 mph.

NWS said the extent of heavy showers has decreased in the past day, but heavy showers will return at times in the coming days, with at least 3 to 5 inches of rain possible through Monday.

Recent data show that large monsoonal swell and wind waves of 11 to 15 feet remain in the region and dangerous surf of 12 to 17 feet along south-and west-facing reefs are still expected to affect the islands through the weekend. Surf will likely build to hazardous levels along north-facing reefs this weekend. The public is advised to stay away from reefs and shorelines, and inter-island travel by boat should be avoided until early next week.

NWS said residents on Alamagan, Pagan, and Agrihan should monitor the situation closely and heed instructions from the CNMI Homeland Security and Emergency Management.

Residents are encouraged to monitor the situation closely and maintain necessary precautionary measures for possible gusty winds and heavy rain and to stay informed on the latest statements or advisories.

With Krosa lingering in the region, HSEM also issued high surf and small craft advisories yesterday as a large west monsoon swell will continue to generate hazardous surf along west-facing reefs through Tuesday night. A long-period north swell from Krosa will also cause surf to build along north-facing reefs this weekend.

Mariners on Saipan, Tinian, and Rota should also expect seas of 9 to 12 feet to continue through tonight before building to between 10 and 13 feet over the weekend. Combined seas will begin to subside Monday and are expected to fall below hazardous levels of 10 feet late Monday night. Seas 10 feet or higher are expected to produce conditions hazardous to small craft.

Krosa- and weather-related advisories will be available through local media sources and NOAA weather radio broadcast on 162.5 megahertz, or call the CNMI EOC State Warning Point at 237-8000 or 664-8000, and for the Northern Islands to contact CNMI EOC State Warning Point at high frequency single side band radio on frequency 5.205.0.