Hurricane Local Statement
Issued by NWS
Issued by NWS
915 WTPQ82 PGUM 020454 HLSPQ2 URGENT - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED Tropical Storm Choi-wan (26W) Local Statement National Weather Service Tiyan GU 254 PM ChST Fri Oct 2 2026 ...TROPICAL STORM CHOI-WAN SLOWLY MOVING WEST-NORTHWEST AND INCHING CLOSER TO ALAMAGAN... .NEW INFORMATION... None. .AREAS AFFECTED... This local statement provides information and recommended actions for people on Saipan, Tinian, Agrihan, Pagan and Alamagan in the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas. .WATCHES/WARNINGS... A Tropical Storm Warning remains in effect for Saipan, Tinian and their adjacent coastal waters, as well as Alamagan, Pagan, and Agrihan in the CNMI. A Typhoon Watch remains in effect for Alamagan, Pagan, and Agrihan in the CNMI. A Typhoon Watch means that typhoon conditions, including winds of 74 mph or more, are possible within 48 hours. A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected within 24 hours. A Flood Watch remains in effect for Tinian and Saipan. Please listen closely for any Flash Flood Warnings that might be in effect for your area. Please check the latest public and marine forecasts for detailed information about additional hazards. .STORM INFORMATION... At 1 PM ChST, the center of Tropical Storm Choi-wan (26W) was located near latitude 17.2N and longitude 144.7E. This was about 260 miles north of Guam. Choi-wan is moving west-northwest at 5 mph, slowing down before pivoting toward the north-northeast with little change in forward speed through Saturday as it moves up the Far Northern Marianas. Maximum sustained winds have increased to 65 mph. Choi-wan is forecast to intensify through tonight, possibly becoming a typhoon later today. Tropical storm force winds continue to extend outward from the center up to 125 miles, however, the wind field is expected to expand farther south over the next few hours. .SITUATION OVERVIEW... Tropical Storm Choi-wan continues to move away from Anatahan and is inching closer to Alamagan, pivoting slowly to the north-northeast through Saturday. During this time, the wind field will continue to expand, exposing Tinian and Saipan in Tropical Storm condition a little longer, now through Saturday. While showers have tapered a little earlier in the day, rainbands that pummeled Guam and Rota earlier this morning are now being pulled toward Tinian and Saipan, with more intense showers and thunderstorms expected tonight. .PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... For those under a Warning, tropical storm preparations should be complete. If you live on a boat, your craft should be safely secured as you remain in adequate land-based shelter. Shelter in place until the all-clear is given. For additional preparedness information, please refer to the detailed recommendations relative to your location as further described by your local emergency management. && .NEXT UPDATE... The next local statement will be issued by the National Weather Service in Tiyan, Guam around 9 PM ChST, or sooner if conditions warrant. MPZ002-003-021100- /O.CON.PGUM.TR.W.4026.000000T0000Z-000000T0000Z/ Tinian-Saipan- 254 PM ChST Fri Oct 2 2026 ...TROPICAL STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT... ...PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Stay indoors during heavy rain and tropical storm-force wind conditions associated with Tropical Storm Choi-wan (26W). Heed the advice of your local emergency managers and officials, and continue to monitor forecasts by the National Weather Service office in Tiyan, Guam. Remain in sturdy shelter until the all- clear is given. && ...WIND INFORMATION... Tropical storm force winds of 35 to 45 mph with gusts to 60 mph are expected through tonight, decreasing slightly for Saturday to between 30 and 40 mph with frequent gusts to 50 mph, to then drop below sustained TS conditions as Tropical Storm Choi-Wan (26W) continues to move away from Tinian and Saipan to the north. At this time, strong tropical storm-force winds look to remain north of Saipan and Tinian as said winds are expected to remain closer to the center of the system. ...COASTAL INUNDATION AND SURF INFORMATION... Large breaking waves of 10 to 14 feet are expected along west and north facing reefs of Tinian and Saipan through at least late Sunday night, as dominant southwesterly swell, secondary northerly swell, and very high localized wind waves persist in the area. Coastal inundation of 1 to 2 feet, as well as significant coastal erosion, will be possible along all reefs through at least Sunday. ...OTHER STORM EFFECTS... After a lull in showers and thunderstorms expires soon, periods of rain, widespread heavy showers and some thunderstorms are expected to return and continue to pummel Tinian and Saipan, potentially producing rainfall totals of 4 to 6 inches by early Monday morning. As such, a Flood Watch will remain in effect through at least Sunday night. Additionally, a monsoon surge south of TS Choi-wan will maintain wet conditions across Saipan and Tinian into next week. && ...ALAMAGAN, PAGAN, AND AGRIHAN... ...TROPICAL STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT... ...TYPHOON WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT... .PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Preparations for Tropical Storm Choi-wan should be complete, or rapidly rushed to completion. Take small loose object indoors. Remain in suitable shelter, such as a cave or sturdy concrete structure. Shelter in place until the all- clear is given. .WIND INFORMATION... North to northeast winds of 25 to 35 mph will turn toward the southeast and increase today as Choi-wan pivots north across the northern CNMI and strengthens, potentially becoming a typhoon later today to the west of Alamagan and Pagan. Tropical storm force winds of 39 to 50 mph look to continue through Sunday. Depending on the track and intensity, winds may increase to strong tropical storm- force of 58 to 65 mph early Saturday morning. Typhoon force winds greater than 74 mph look to remain possible during closest passage. .COASTAL INUNDATION AND SURF INFORMATION... Hazardous surf of 8 to 12 feet along east-facing and south facing reefs are expected to continue, to then spread along north and west- facing reefs as the center moves north-northeast parallel to the northern CNMI tonight through Saturday night, increasing by several feet during this time. As Choi-wan continues to strengthen, surf will continue to increase, likely becoming dangerous by early next week. Significant coastal erosion and some coastal inundation is expected during Choi- wan`s passage. .OTHER STORM EFFECTS... Periods of rain, widespread heavy showers and scattered thunderstorms are expected through tonight, which is expected to produce rainfall totals of 8 to 14 inches by early Monday morning, with up to 20 inches of rainfall possible near the center of the system. $$ Montvila