Forecasters on Guam say a tropical storm heading towards the Marianas Islands is gaining intensity ahead of its expected arrival tomorrow morning.
Track of Tropical Depression 16W Photo: The National Weather Service
The latest storm comes only two weeks after the Northern Marianas was struck by category three typhoon Soudelor, which caused extensive damage.
Michael Ziobro, from the US National Weather Service on Guam, says the storm is moving north, northwest at about 14 kilometres an hour and is projected to pass over Tinian and Rota early on Sunday.
Mr Ziobro says people in both the Northern Marianas and Guam should expect potentially damaging winds and heavy rain.
"It's associated with monsoon moisture so I mean we're already getting a lot of rain now and there are some projections it will show up to eight to twelve inches (200-300 mm) in parts of Guam and Rota. Right now, it's at 40 miles an hour (64 km/h) but it's expected to increase by the time it passes close to the islands."
Meanwhile, Michael Ziobro says another tropical storm developing above ocean in the Marshall Islands doesn't pose any threat at this stage.
