(CNMI Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency) — Strong southwest winds will continue to develop across the Northern Islands on Friday as Invest 90W continues to develop. Near-gale to gale force winds and hazardous seas/surf are possible late Friday into early next week.
Strong southwest winds will develop Thursday evening with 15 to 25 kt winds building to near- gale force, 25 to 30 kt, Saturday. Winds may gust to between 40 and 45 kt during the weekend, especially in and around heavy bands of showers. Strongest winds will be found farther north. Winds may subside below 20 kt late in the week.
Seas are expected to build to between 8 and 10 feet Friday and likely between 10 and 14 feet this weekend from a west to southwest direction. Hazardous surf is expected along west and north facing reefs and could reach dangerous levels of 15 feet.
Eight to 12 inches of rainfall with locally higher amounts is expected through Sunday.
Inter-island travel is discouraged the next few days.
Gov. Ralph DLG Torres is advising residents of Alamagan, Pagan and Agrihan to monitor the situation closely and maintain necessary precautionary measures for possible gusty winds and heavy rain, and to also stay informed on the latest statements or advisories which will be available through local media sources and NOAA weather radio broadcast on 162.5 megahertz. You may also call CNMI Emergency Operations Center State Warning Point at 237-8000 or 664-8000. Those in the Northern Islands may contact CNMI EOC State Warning Point at high frequency single side band radio on frequency 5.205.0.
