Super Typhoon Sinlaku, a rapidly intensifying Category 5-equivalent storm, is strengthening over the Philippine Sea and heading toward the Northern Mariana Islands and the U.S. territory Guam.
The typhoon has maximum sustained winds near 180 mph (155 knots) and gusts of around 220 mph (190 knots), as of the early hours of Monday local time, according to the U.S. Navy’s Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC).
Meteorologists are closely monitoring the system, which is one of the most intense storms observed in the western Pacific so far this year.
Why It Matters
Sinlaku became the world’s second Category 5 tropical cyclone of the year on Sunday. While typhoons can take place year-round, most occur between June and November, and storms of this intensity are relatively rare in April.
Depending on its track, the typhoon could bring significant impacts to the Northern Mariana Islands, an unincorporated U.S. territory, and Guam, a U.S. territory, including strong winds, heavy rainfall and risks of flash flooding.
The combined population of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands is approximately 200,000 people. Guam is also home to major U.S. military installations.
What To Know
The typhoon is currently moving northwest across the Philippine Sea and is expected to approach the Mariana Islands from late Monday into Tuesday, with the most significant impacts likely on Tuesday.
The latest JTWC update showed the typhoon’s path has had a slight northward shift, reducing the potential risks to Guam but still posing risks of extreme weather conditions.
The islands of Saipan and Tinian in the Marianas are expected to experience the most severe conditions.
Sinlaku is unusually large, with gale-force winds extending up to roughly 240 nautical miles from its center, according to the JTWC.
Forecast data shows the typhoon gradually weakening over the next several days, although it is expected to remain a powerful system when it reaches the Marianas.
Typhoon warnings are currently in effect for Rota, Tinian and Saipan, the three principal inhabited islands of the Northern Marianas. A tropical storm warning and typhoon watch are in place for Guam, per the National Weather Service (NWS).
Intense rainfall is expected in the region through to at least Wednesday, with rainfall amounts reaching 15 to 25 inches near the center, per the NWS. A flood watch is also in effect for all of Guam and the Northern Marianas.
Guam’s Governor Lourdes “Lou” Leon Guerrero noted in a video address on Sunday that while Sinlaku’s updated path projection had reduced the risks to Guam, it was still a “serious weather event.”
She encouraged residents to prepare by securing loose items, staying off the road and staying out of the water.
Northern Mariana Islands authorities have advised residents in Saipan, Tinian and Rota to return home and secure their properties immediately.
Emergency shelters on Guam opened at 6 p.m. on Sunday for anyone needing to evacuate. Local outlets reported that some shelters across Saipan and Tinian had already exceeded 50 percent capacity as of Monday.
Several airlines, including United, have canceled flights to Guam scheduled for the next few days, though the International Airport Authority said on Sunday that it remains open.
What People Are Saying
Guam Governor Lourdes “Lou” Leon Guerrero said in a video address on Sunday: “Though the anticipated impacts on Guam are not as dire, tropical storm forewinds and the heavy torrential rains wrapping around Super Typhoon Sinlaku can still cause power outages, down trees, hazardous road conditions and flooding. I urge everyone to remain safe and cautious.”
What Happens Next
Weather impacts from the storm are expected to begin on Monday, bringing heavy rain and strong winds, before the typhoon passes the Marianas on Tuesday.