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Typhoon Choi-wan was moving northeast and away from the Northern Mariana Islands on Saturday afternoon, but the National Weather Service in Guam kept a Tropical Storm Warning in effect for Saipan and Tinian and a Flood Watch for all of Guam and the Northern Marianas. Its local statement issued at 3:23 PM ChST on October 3 says tropical storm conditions should ease later tonight.
For visitors, the risk now is flooding, high surf and a windy start to next week rather than a direct hit. Anyone heading to the islands, including travelers booked on the Philippine Airlines Saipan restart from October 25, should check current flight status with their airline.
- Storm position: about 270 miles north of Saipan at 2 PM ChST Saturday, with 100 mph winds, moving northeast.
- Warnings: Tropical Storm Warning for Saipan and Tinian; Typhoon Warning for Alamagan, Agrihan and Pagan.
- Flood Watch: all of Guam and the Northern Marianas, through at least Sunday night.
- Rain totals: 4 to 6 inches possible on Saipan and Tinian by early Monday morning.
- Surf: breaking waves of 7 to 12 feet on Saipan and Tinian reefs tonight.
Saipan and Tinian Stay Under a Tropical Storm Warning
The weather service expects sustained winds of 35 to 45 mph with gusts to 60 mph on Tinian and Saipan in the early evening, dropping below tropical storm strength later in the night. The cause is the monsoon surge south of the typhoon, not the storm center.
Even after the warning ends, the statement says both islands will keep feeling windy conditions into next week. Marianas Variety reported that Governor David Apatang had already placed Saipan and Tinian under Tropical Storm Condition I, as the local newspaper reported.
Flood Watch Covers Guam Through Sunday Night
Guam stayed outside the wind field, but the Guam Daily Post reported that the island faced heavy rain, a wind advisory and high surf from the same monsoon surge. In its Thursday report, the paper said Guam could see 5 to 8 inches of rain through Monday.
The Saturday alerts add a Flood Watch for Guam, Rota, Saipan and Tinian, plus rip current and high surf advisories for all four islands. The weather service says a dry slot gave Tinian and Saipan a lull in showers, but more rain bands were entering western waters.
Surf and Beach Conditions Stay Dangerous
The weather service expects large breaking waves of 10 to 12 feet along west facing reefs on Tinian and Saipan tonight, with 9 to 11 feet on north facing reefs and 7 to 9 feet on south facing reefs. Coastal inundation of a foot or less and significant coastal erosion are expected through at least Sunday.
That makes beach and boat plans the first thing to drop. Officials told residents to stay away from the shoreline, and the same logic applies to visitors on reef tours, snorkel trips and shoreline walks.
The Outer Islands Face a Typhoon Warning
A Typhoon Warning remains in effect for Alamagan, Agrihan and Pagan. The typhoon was about 20 miles north-northwest of Agrihan at 2 PM ChST and is forecast to reach Category 3 tonight as it moves away.
These are lightly populated northern islands, so they matter less to most visitors than Saipan and Tinian. They still show why the storm is not over: the system is intensifying while it leaves.
| If you… | What to do |
|---|---|
| Are on Saipan or Tinian tonight | Stay indoors during heavy rain and wind, and follow local emergency officials until the warning is cancelled. |
| Have a beach, boat or snorkel tour booked on Saipan, Tinian or Guam | Ask the operator whether it is running, since surf of 7 to 12 feet and strong rip currents are forecast. |
| Fly into Guam, Saipan or Tinian on Sunday or Monday | Check flight status with your airline, because the sources reviewed do not report airport closures but flooding rain continues. |
| Plan to drive to remote or low-lying areas | Delay the trip until the Flood Watch ends, because runoff can flood roads and poorly drained areas. |
Tonight is the peak for Saipan and Tinian. Tropical storm conditions are forecast for the early evening, then easing, and the next weather service statement is due around 9 PM ChST.
Sunday night is the Flood Watch gate. The watch stays in effect through at least then, so keep outdoor plans flexible through the weekend.
Early Monday morning is the rainfall check. Rain totals of 4 to 6 inches are expected by then on Saipan and Tinian, so confirm road and attraction status before you go out.
Is Typhoon Choi-wan hitting Saipan?
No, the center was about 270 miles north of Saipan, but monsoon surge winds and rain still bring tropical storm conditions.
Is Guam under a storm warning?
No, Guam is under a Flood Watch and a wind advisory, with high surf and rip current advisories in effect.
When will conditions improve?
The weather service expects Saipan and Tinian to fall below tropical storm strength later Saturday night, with wind lingering into next week.
Are Saipan and Guam airports closed?
The sources reviewed do not report any closures, so check your flight with the airline.
