Guam in the path of West Pacific's next potential typhoon
By
Maura Kelly, AccuWeather meteorologist &
Eric Leister, AccuWeather senior meteorologist
Published Nov 24, 2019 7:29 PM EST
Guam and the Philippines are once again at risk for impacts from a strengthening tropical cyclone.
Kammuri strengthened into a tropical storm as it passed between Chuuk and Guam on Tuesday and has the potential strengthen into a typhoon later in the week.
As Tropical Storm Kammuri drifts to the northwest through Wednesday, it will be in an area of low wind shear. This can allow the system to become better organized.
An area of high pressure over the Pacific Ocean will help to steer the storm to the west, keeping it just south of Guamand the Northern Mariana Islands into the middle of the week.
The storm will still pass close enough to Guam to bring impactful weather to the island into Thursday.
Local power outages and tree damage will be possible across Guam with wind gusts over 80 km/h (50 mph).
Kammuri is also expected to bring downpours to the region into Thursday.
Rainfall amounts of 75-150 mm (3-6 inches) are expected across Guam by the end of the day on Thursday with an AccuWeather Local StormMax™ of 250 mm (10 inches). This rainfall will bring a high risk for flooding and travel disruptions.
The weather will improve across Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands from Friday into Saturday.
After departing Guam, a west to northwest track is expected into this weekend taking the storm into the Philippine Sea.
Two track scenarios are then possible as the tropical system could continue westward with potential impacts for the Philippines or be pulled northward with little or no further impacts to land.
At this time, the more likely scenario is that the tropical cyclone will continue to track to the west and threaten the Philippines next week.
Satellite image of Tropical Storm Kammuri tracking just south of Guam on Tuesday night, local time.
A westward track across the Philippine Sea would give the storm more time to strengthen and it could become a power typhoon before reaching the Philippines.
The central and northern Philippines would then be at risk for impacts ranging from damaging winds to flooding, mudslides and storm surge.
A turn toward the north as the storm nears or moves into the Philippines may then put areas from Taiwanto Japan and South Korea at risk for impacts later next week.
Residents in the Philippines and eastern Asia should monitor the storm into the weekend and the beginning of next week.
If the storm were to be pulled northward shortly after passing Guam, a track to the east of Japan would be expected limiting the risk for any further impacts to land.
Report a Typo
News / Hurricane
Guam in the path of West Pacific's next potential typhoon
By Maura Kelly, AccuWeather meteorologist & Eric Leister, AccuWeather senior meteorologist
Published Nov 24, 2019 7:29 PM EST
Guam and the Philippines are once again at risk for impacts from a strengthening tropical cyclone.
Kammuri strengthened into a tropical storm as it passed between Chuuk and Guam on Tuesday and has the potential strengthen into a typhoon later in the week.
As Tropical Storm Kammuri drifts to the northwest through Wednesday, it will be in an area of low wind shear. This can allow the system to become better organized.
An area of high pressure over the Pacific Ocean will help to steer the storm to the west, keeping it just south of Guamand the Northern Mariana Islands into the middle of the week.
The storm will still pass close enough to Guam to bring impactful weather to the island into Thursday.
Local power outages and tree damage will be possible across Guam with wind gusts over 80 km/h (50 mph).
Kammuri is also expected to bring downpours to the region into Thursday.
Rainfall amounts of 75-150 mm (3-6 inches) are expected across Guam by the end of the day on Thursday with an AccuWeather Local StormMax™ of 250 mm (10 inches). This rainfall will bring a high risk for flooding and travel disruptions.
The weather will improve across Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands from Friday into Saturday.
Related:
After departing Guam, a west to northwest track is expected into this weekend taking the storm into the Philippine Sea.
Two track scenarios are then possible as the tropical system could continue westward with potential impacts for the Philippines or be pulled northward with little or no further impacts to land.
At this time, the more likely scenario is that the tropical cyclone will continue to track to the west and threaten the Philippines next week.
Satellite image of Tropical Storm Kammuri tracking just south of Guam on Tuesday night, local time.
A westward track across the Philippine Sea would give the storm more time to strengthen and it could become a power typhoon before reaching the Philippines.
The central and northern Philippines would then be at risk for impacts ranging from damaging winds to flooding, mudslides and storm surge.
A turn toward the north as the storm nears or moves into the Philippines may then put areas from Taiwanto Japan and South Korea at risk for impacts later next week.
Residents in the Philippines and eastern Asia should monitor the storm into the weekend and the beginning of next week.
If the storm were to be pulled northward shortly after passing Guam, a track to the east of Japan would be expected limiting the risk for any further impacts to land.
Report a Typo