SAIPAN — A shear line sitting across the Commonwealth is keeping the CNMI in a wet, gusty pattern this week after between 5-7 inches of rain fell over Saipan on Monday, triggering some flooding, according to the National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office Guam in its weekly regional outlook issued Tuesday afternoon.
NWS said the axis of heavier showers has shifted toward Rota, but strong, gusty winds are still impacting the CNMI as the shear line lingers nearby.
For the days ahead, NWS expects the showery pattern to persist while the shear line remains in the area, though it is forecast to gradually weaken. A drier stretch is possible late this week into Saturday, but NWS said another shear line may approach late this weekend into Sunday, which could bring showers back and push winds higher again.
At sea, NWS said seas and surf remain elevated across the Marianas, especially across the CNMI, because of the strong winds, and that advisories remain in effect for hazardous seas/surf and strong rip currents for Guam and the CNMI. NWS expects conditions may ease a bit toward the end of the week, but could build again over the weekend with the next approaching shear line.
NWS also noted a tropical disturbance, Invest 93W, remains west of Palau and poses no threat to Palau or Yap State.
