SAIPAN — Every typhoon warning and condition in the CNMI was cancelled at 5 a.m. Sunday as Typhoon Saudel moved away to the northwest, ending an emergency arc that ran from Wednesday’s first tropical storm bulletin through Saturday’s passage over the far Northern Islands.
No watches or warnings remain in effect anywhere in the Commonwealth.
The National Weather Service cancelled the typhoon warning for Alamagan, Pagan and Agrihan, and Gov. David M. Apatang cancelled all conditions for the three islands as of 5 a.m., the CNMI Emergency Operations Center said.
The cancellation means damaging winds are no longer expected, though residents should maintain precautionary measures for strong gusty winds and heavy rain showers in Saudel’s feeder bands. Hazardous marine conditions, especially dangerous surf and coastal inundation along west-facing shores, remain a significant threat.
As of 4 a.m., Saudel was centered near latitude 20.4 degrees north and longitude 143.6 degrees east, about 175 miles northwest of Agrihan, 210 miles northwest of Pagan and 240 miles northwest of Alamagan, moving northwest at 16 mph. Maximum sustained winds held at 120 mph, and the typhoon is forecast to keep intensifying through Monday as it heads toward waters south-southeast of Iwo To.
A small craft advisory remains in effect until 5 p.m. today for Saipan, Tinian and Rota coastal waters, with southwest winds of 10 to 20 knots gusting to 30 and seas of 7 to 10 feet. A high surf advisory and high rip current risk run until 4 p.m. today along north- and west-facing reefs.
The next bulletin is scheduled for 8 a.m.
