NWS Guam upgrades 95W to TD Nuri; tropical storm watch in effect for Yap and Ulithi; passage north of Saipan possible early Saturday
SAIPAN — The system forecasters had been tracking as Invest 95W has been upgraded to Tropical Depression Nuri, the third tropical cyclone of the western North Pacific season, and is now forecast to turn northeastward toward the Mariana Islands with a possible passage through the northern CNMI early Saturday.
The Joint Typhoon Warning Center upgraded the system to tropical depression status early Wednesday afternoon. As of 1:00 p.m. ChST, Nuri was located near 10.4N 136.9E, placing it approximately 100 miles northwest of Yap, 200 miles west of Ulithi, 575 miles west-southwest of Guam and 675 miles west-southwest of Saipan. The system was moving southwest at 12 mph but had been nearly stationary for several hours. Maximum sustained winds were 35 mph.
A Tropical Storm Watch is now in effect for Yap Proper and Ulithi in western Yap State, meaning tropical storm force winds of 39 mph or greater are possible. NWS Guam cited Nuri’s close proximity to those islands, the potential for a southward shift and possible expansion of the wind field as the basis for the watch.
NWS Guam Weather Coordinator Landon Aydlett said in a 5:00 p.m. ChST alert Wednesday that Nuri is expected to turn northeastward overnight or Thursday morning, with additional strengthening possible and the system potentially reaching tropical storm strength by Wednesday evening or overnight.
However, forecasters said development may be limited. As Nuri tracks northeastward it will move into a less favorable environment, and a weakening trend is likely beginning Thursday night or early Friday. As currently forecast, the system could pass through the northern Mariana Islands, north of Saipan, early Saturday.
NWS Guam is issuing public advisories on Nuri every three hours due to the active Tropical Storm Watch for Yap Proper and Ulithi. Residents across Yap State, Guam and the CNMI are urged to stay current with forecasts from NWS Guam, WSO Yap and local emergency management.
