SAIPAN — Super Typhoon Sinlaku remained at maximum sustained winds of 180 mph Monday morning and continued on a track toward Tinian and Saipan, with HSEM confirming in Bulletin 9A at 11 a.m. that a Category 4 or Category 5 strike on the Marianas remains the forecast.
The storm was located 295 miles southeast of Saipan as of 10 a.m., moving northwest at 9 mph. The latest JTWC forecast track shifted slightly southward from the previous bulletin but passage near or over Tinian and Saipan is still expected. Sinlaku is forecast to gradually weaken through the next several days while remaining an extremely dangerous storm at landfall.
Tropical storm-force winds are still expected to reach Guam, Rota, Tinian and Saipan this evening or tonight, with typhoon-force winds forecast to begin reaching Rota, Tinian and Saipan Tuesday or Tuesday afternoon.
A Typhoon Warning remains in effect for Saipan, Tinian and Rota. Typhoon Condition II and Tropical Storm Condition III for Pagan and Alamagan are both being maintained.
Residents must be sheltered now. The next bulletin is scheduled for 2 p.m., followed by an intermediate at 5 p.m. The CNMI EOC State Warning Point can be reached at 670-237-8000 or 670-664-8000.
