A typhoon warning is now in effect for Pagan and Agrihan, and Gov. David M. Apatang has declared Typhoon Condition II for both islands, the CNMI Emergency Operations Center said in its 8 a.m. Friday bulletin, the first warnings of the Saudel arc as the storm continues northwest toward the far Northern Mariana Islands.
Typhoon Condition II means damaging winds of 39 mph or more are expected within 24 hours.
A tropical storm warning is also now in effect for Alamagan, where the governor declared Tropical Storm Condition III.
Nothing changed for Saipan and Tinian. Both islands remain under a tropical storm watch and Tropical Storm Condition III, meaning winds of 39 to 73 mph are only possible if Saudel’s track shifts significantly westward today or tonight.
The typhoon warning means typhoon-force winds of 74 mph or more are expected on Pagan and Agrihan, with the onset of damaging winds of 39 mph or greater expected after midnight. The tropical storm warning for Alamagan means winds of 39 to 73 mph are expected there after midnight. A typhoon watch remains in effect for Alamagan, depending on a westward shift in the track.
As of 7 a.m., Saudel was centered near latitude 14.1 degrees north and longitude 149.3 degrees east, about 250 miles east-southeast of Saipan and 305 miles east of Guam, moving northwest at 13 mph. Maximum sustained winds held at 45 mph.
The National Weather Service said Saudel is expected to maintain its course and speed through Saturday and is forecast to intensify through tonight, possibly becoming a typhoon late this evening before passing through the far Northern Marianas on Saturday as an intensifying Category 3 typhoon.
The storm’s wind field is lopsided: tropical storm-force winds extend up to 100 miles south of the center but only 45 miles to the north.
The bulletin said the storm is passing well east of Guam and Rota.
Condition declarations as of 8 a.m.: Typhoon Condition II declared for Agrihan and Pagan; Tropical Storm Condition III declared for Alamagan; Tropical Storm Condition III maintained for Saipan and Tinian. Condition III means the listed winds are possible within 48 hours.
Residents can monitor updates through NOAA Weather Radio by phone at 211 or by calling the EOC State Warning Point at 237-8000 or 664-8000. Northern Islands residents can reach the warning point by high frequency single side band radio on frequency 5.205.0.
An intermediate bulletin is scheduled for 11 a.m., followed by the next full bulletin at 2 p.m.
