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Hazardous surf warning up
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Posted on Oct 16 2004
Still experiencing rainshowers and rough seas from tropical storm Tokage, the Northern Marianas may face yet another storm today.
The National Weather Service projected yesterday that tropical depression 28W would become a tropical storm by late Saturday night.
At 1 pm yesterday, the National Weather Service located the center of the tropical depression near latitude 11.2 degrees north and longitude 158.0 degrees east. This is about 905 miles east of Guam, 870 miles east-southeast of Saipan, and 490 miles northeast of Chuuk.
Packing winds at 35 miles per hour, tropical depression 28W was moving west at 7mph. This general motion was expected to continue for the next 24 hours.
“Tropical depression 28W is expected to intensify slowly over the next 12 hours, possibly becoming a tropical storm late [Saturday night],” weather officials said.
There were no watches or warnings in effect as of 2pm yesterday.
However, the NWS urged residents of the CNMI, Guam, and Chuuk to closely monitor the progress of the tropical depression.
CNMI residents are still cautioned against surfing today due to large west-southwest swells generated by strong monsoon flow and the effects of tropical storm Tokage.
Forecasters said the typhoon, now located west of the Marianas region, will continue to generate hazardous surf for the islands through Monday.
“Wave model guidance indicates swells should begin diminishing late Monday with surf heights possibly subsiding below hazardous levels by Tuesday,” said the NWS in Guam.
Hazardous surf in the Marianas will build to heights of 9 to 11 feet today.
“Avoid venturing near reefs and exposed beaches due to strong rip currents,” the NWS said.
