Tropical Storm 09W continued to strengthen overnight and remains on course to develop into a powerful system headed toward the Marianas.
It could be a Category 4 super typhoon at the time of passage, likely overnight Sunday and Monday morning, according to the Joint Typhoon Warning Center.
“Rapid intensification expected in coming days as it maintains a track toward the Mariana Islands,” the National Weather Service said in an 8 a.m. Thursday statement.
“The outlook for TS 09W presents a significant concern for all of the Mariana Islands, from Guam to Pagan,” the statement said. “Guam, Rota, Tinian and/or Saipan are all within the range of possibility of seeing a direct hit by a major typhoon.
As of 7 a.m. Thursday, the system was located at 10.8N and 160.9E, about 1,100 miles east-southeast of Guam. It had winds of 45 mph and was moving northwest at 15 mph.
“Numerical forecast models and current forecast tracks all continue to indicate a grim outlook for the Marianas,” the statement said. “All residents across Guam and the CNMI should plan for and anticipate at least tropical storm conditions. However, island(s) closest to the passage, or those potentially with a direct hit, would most likely see much stronger conditions.”
