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Expect rain as Atsani goes north of the CNMI
Typhoon Atsani is still expected to pass north of the CNMI this week but residents should brace for rain in the coming days.
According to special assistant to Homeland Security and Emergency Management Marvin Seman, monsoon rain is the only thing that currently concerns the CNMI.
“We should be expecting rain. The forecast is looking at two to three days,” Seman said.
In their Special Weather Statement, the National Weather Service in Guam said that Typhoon Atsani will have “some effect on the Northern Mariana Islands.”
“Fresh to strong monsoon winds will also flow toward Atsani in the coming days so gusty winds, large waves, and periods of heavy rain will affect most of the Mariana Islands,” the statement said.
Winds of 30 miles per hour with stronger gusts could develop across the islands of far northern CNMI such as Agrihan, Pagan, and Alamagan.
The weather statement also noted that sea conditions will become hazardous across the Mariana Islands for boating activities by Thursday or Friday.
“North of Saipan, combined seas could easily build into a range of 15 to 20 feet with winds of 25 to 35 miles per hour as Typhoon Atsani passes by farther north.”
There were still no watches and warnings yesterday, but NWS said “residents of Agrihan, Pagan, and Alamagan islands should monitor the progress of Atsani during the next few days.”
Typhoon Atsani was centered 630 miles east-northeast of Saipan and 640 east-southeast of Agrihan yesterday.
With Atsani expected to maintain its current west-northwest movement at 12 miles per hour, it is expected to pass north of Agrihan by Thursday or Friday.
It continues to intensify and now has maximum sustained winds of 130 miles per hour. Typhoon force winds extend outward up to 35 miles from the center and tropical storm force winds extend out up to 195 miles.
NWS expects Atsani to gradually intensify through Thursday.
