Previous Story
Kulap slows down but high surf warning still up
|
Posted on Jan 16 2005
Northern Marianas residents are urged to continue monitoring changes in movement and intensity of Tropical Storm Kulap, which slowed down its northward movement yesterday.
The Emergency Management Office also advised the public, especially fishermen, swimmers, surfers, marine tour operators, and beachgoers, to avoid venturing near reef lines and exposed beaches due to dangerous rip currents and high surf.
At 1:30am yesterday, weather officials located the center of Tropical Storm Kulap near latitude 11.5 degrees north and longitude 147 degrees east. It is about 265 miles south-southeast of Saipan, 260 miles south-southeast of Tinian and 215 miles of Rota.
Kulap continued to move northward, although very slowly.
By 1pm, Kulap was found near latitude 12 degrees north and longitude 147.1 degrees east. This is about 235 miles south-southeast of Saipan, 230 miles south-southeast of Tinian, and 195 miles southeast of Rota.
The tropical storm was packing winds at 50mph and was forecast to intensify over the next 24 hours. Force winds of 39mph or more were extending outward up to 105 miles from the center.
An hour later, the National Weather Service downgraded the tropical watch for Saipan and Tinian to tropical storm watch. A similar watch remained in effect for Rota.
In a 2:30pm advisory, EMO reported that Kulap was moving north at 12 mph. The tropical storm was anticipated to turn north-northeast within the following 12 hours with an increase in forward speed.
“If Kulap moves as expected, damaging winds will likely remain just east of the Mariana Islands. However, a slight westward change in the track would bring damaging winds [Sunday] evening to early [Monday] morning to Rota, Tinian, and Saipan,” EMO said.
