Typhoon Watch Issued for Guam, Mariana Islands

A Typhoon Watch took effect for Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (Rota, Tinian and Saipan) at 2:42 p.m. ChST on Oct. 15, 2026, as Tropical Depression 29W, about 970 miles east of Guam, was forecast to strengthen and turn toward the Marianas, the National Weather Service's office in Tiyan, Guam, said.

A Typhoon Watch means typhoon conditions, including winds of 74 mph or greater, are possible within 48 hours somewhere within the watch area, the weather service said. Tropical Depression 29W's sustained winds were 35 mph, and the storm was moving west-northwest at 13 mph. Forecasters expected it to begin intensifying Friday, Oct. 16, 2026, and to turn toward the west over the following two days.

In a later statement, the weather service said tropical storm-force winds were expected to reach the islands around midnight Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026, with strong tropical storm-force winds continuing from Sunday morning to late Sunday night, Oct. 18, 2026. Typhoon-force winds of 74 mph or greater were possible Sunday morning through Sunday afternoon that same day.

Surf conditions were expected to become hazardous, then dangerous, with life-threatening surf likely over the weekend and inundation of 2 to 4 feet, possibly higher, the weather service said. Heavy to torrential rainfall was also expected, and the office said a Flood Watch was likely for the Marianas.

The weather service urged residents to stay calm, keep informed and comply with any evacuation orders issued for their area. Anyone living in a metal-roof or container home, in a surge zone or in a location prone to flooding was told to evacuate to a designated shelter or to ride out the storm in the sturdy home of family or friends outside evacuation zones.