Western Pacific storm season starts strong as intensifying tropical system threatens US territory of Guam
An early season surge of tropical activity in the western Pacific has produced several storms, as an strengthening tropical storm threatens the U.S. territory of Guam.
An early-season surge of tropical activity in the western Pacific has produced several storms, as a strengthening tropical storm threatens the U.S. territory of Guam.
Tropical Storm Sinlaku, currently designated Tropical Depression Four, is expected to intensify as it approaches the roughly 210-square-mile island of Guam, threatening direct impacts on the U.S. territory by early next week.
An advisory from the Guam Homeland Security Office of Civil Defense said, "While it is still early to determine the exact proximity to Guam, the impacts will still be felt farther from the center as the large wind field envelops much of the Mariana Islands. With that said, there remains a significant threat of a powerful typhoon passing very close to Guam."
The advisory urged residents and visitors of the Pacific island to begin preparing for the storm ahead of its arrival to minimize the potential for flooding and storm damage.
LA NIÑA DEAD, NEUTRAL CONDITIONS TAKE OVER IN PACIFIC AS EL NIÑO BECOMES INCREASINGLY LIKELY
Threatening peak winds of 120 mph by Tuesday evening, the storm will continue to travel northwest through the Pacific Ocean.
Tropical Cyclone Maila is swirling in the Southern Hemisphere, near New Britain and the Solomon Islands, packing 100 mph winds.
The Eastern Pacific hurricane season officially begins on May 1, but with several storms brewing, the West Pacific is off to an active start this spring.
Easterly trade winds are beginning to weaken across much of the Pacific, and may eventually lead to El Niño developing across the equatorial Pacific Ocean.
As this occurs, warmer waters shift into the eastern Pacific. These warmer ocean temperatures can help increase activity across the Pacific basin, which already appears to be happening.
El Niño plays a significant role in the Pacific, often increasing storm activity and contributing to above-average storm seasons in parts of the region.
Stay with FOX Weather as we continue tracking the storms taking shape across the West Pacific.
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