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Yutu strengthens
Tropical Storm Yutu is now near typhoon intensity, with maximum sustained winds of 65 miles per hour.
As of 4am today, Tropical Storm Yutu was moving west-northwest at 16 mph.
Typhoon watches remain effect for Tinian and Saipan. A tropical storm watch remains in effect for Rota.
According to the National Weather Service in Guam, residents of Alamagan, Pagan, and Agrihan should continue to monitor the progress of Tropical Storm Yutu.
At 4am, the center of Tropical Storm Yutu was located about 240 miles north-northeast of Chuuk, about 550 miles east-southeast of Saipan and Rota, about 555 miles east-southeast of Tinian, and about 565 miles east-southeast of Guam.
Yutu is expected to continue its west-northwest to northwest motion through Thursday, bringing Yutu near or just north of Saipan late Wednesday night or Thursday morning.
Maximum sustained winds have increased to 65 mph. Yutu will become a typhoon later today, and is expected to continue intensifying through Thursday.
Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 80 miles southwest of the center, and up to 150 miles elsewhere.
Because of the anticipated threat, Gov. Ralph DLG Torres has maintained Typhoon Condition 3 for the islands of Saipan and Tinian and Tropical Storm Condition 3 for the island of Rota as of 5am this morning.
Typhoon Condition 3 means that damaging winds of 74 mph or greater are possible within 48 hours;
Tropical Storm Condition 3 means that damaging winds of 39-73 mph are possible within 48 hours. (HSEM)
