SAIPAN — The tropical storm watch for Saipan and Tinian coastal waters has been cancelled, but the small craft advisory remains in effect until 5 p.m. Sunday, the CNMI Emergency Operations Center said in a special marine advisory issued at 10:30 a.m. Saturday.
Tropical storm-force winds of 34 to 63 knots are no longer possible because Typhoon Saudel did not make a sufficiently large westward wobble, the advisory said.
Conditions on the water remain hazardous to small craft. Southwest winds of 10 to 20 knots with gusts up to 30 knots and seas of 7 to 10 feet are expected across Saipan and Tinian coastal waters, with winds increasing to 25 knots today and combined seas of 7 to 10 feet holding through Sunday afternoon.
Gov. David M. Apatang is advising all mariners, especially those operating smaller vessels, to avoid navigating in hazardous conditions.
The high surf advisory for north-facing reefs and the high rip current risk along north- and east-facing reefs both continue through Sunday afternoon.
Saudel is tracking across the far Northern Marianas, where a typhoon warning remains in effect for Pagan and Agrihan.
