The National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office Guam continues to monitor Typhoon Mawar as it continues to strengthen and slowly track toward the Marianas.
As of 2:00 p.m. on May 22, Mawar was located 340 miles southeast of Guam and 415 miles south-southeast of Saipan, with maximum sustained winds now up to 100 mph. Mawar is now a Category-2 typhoon. Mawar is expected to maintain a general north-northwestward motion through Tuesday, then make a gradual turn toward the northwest. As currently forecast, Mawar will pass through the Rota Channel, or over parts of Guam, around midday Wednesday.
A typhoon warning is now in effect for Guam and Rota.
A typhoon warning means that damaging winds of 39 mph or more are expected within 24 hours, becoming typhoon force.
Tropical storm force winds of 39 to 73 mph are possible as early as late Tuesday afternoon, but most likely later Tuesday evening. Typhoon force winds of 74 mph or more are possible as early as Wednesday morning. Seas are expected to build as high as 30 feet by Wednesday morning.
With this, the NWS has issued a high surf advisory that remains in effect from 3 p.m. this afternoon to 3 p.m. Thursday, for south facing reefs on Guam, Rota, Tinian, and Saipan. Large breaking waves of 7 to 9 feet are expected in the surf zone. A high risk of rip currents remains in effect from 3 p.m. this afternoon through Thursday afternoon, for east and south facing reefs of the Marianas. Dangerous swimming and surfing conditions and localized beach erosion are expected. Remain out of the water.
A small craft advisory remains in effect from 3 p.m. this afternoon to 3 p.m. Thursday. Inexperienced mariners, especially those operating smaller vessels, should avoid navigating in hazardous conditions.
The NWS advises the community to use this afternoon and evening to finish preparations for the typhoon.
Things to have prepared for a typhoon:
- Medicine
- Cash
- Important Documents
- Gas Tanks/Supply
- Need to shelter? (Concrete Home vs. Wood/Tin Home)
- Generator (Avoid Monoxide Poisoning)
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