Overall situation: TC track, Wind buffers (Green: 63-92 km/h, Orange: 93-118 km/h, Red:>118 km/h)
The Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) is tracking Tropical Storm Sinlaku (04W) as it steadily intensifies and moves toward the Marianas, with forecasters warning it could reach typhoon strength before passing near the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) early next week.
Authorities say the system was located about 605 miles southeast of Saipan as of Friday, moving slowly northwest, with current projections placing its closest approach to the CNMI around Monday, when tropical storm or even typhoon-force winds could begin affecting the islands.
TC track, Wind buffers (Green: 63-92 km/h, Orange: 93-118 km/h, Red:>118 km/h)
A new tropical cyclone named SINLAKU formed over the western North Pacific Ocean on 9 April and started moving north-west toward Guam and the far southern Northern Mariana Islands as a tropical storm. On 10 April at 0.00 UTC its centre was located over the ocean approximately 885 km south-east of Guam, with maximum sustained winds of 74 km/h.
SINLAKU is forecast to continue moving northwestward over the ocean, strengthening, and to make landfall over northern Guam on 14 April in the morning (UTC), with maximum sustained winds up to 194 km/h (Cat. 3 hurricane).
Heavy rainfall, strong winds and storm surges are forecast over Guam and the central-southern Northern Mariana Islands over 13-15 April.
Tropical Cyclone SINLAKU-26
Tropical Cyclone SINLAKU-26 can have a high humanitarian impact based on the maximum sustained wind speed,exposed population and vulnerability.
Meteorological source GDACS
Exposed countries Guam
Exposed population 180 thousand in Category 1 or higher
Maximum wind speed 213 km/h
Maximum storm surge n.a.
Vulnerability Medium (Guam)
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