By Barbara Brown
(Tumon, Guam) Tropical Depression 20W is now 835 nautical miles east of Guam, moving West at 21 mph, and is expected to reach tropical storm strength today.
The system now has maximum sustained winds of 35 mph, just four shy of tropical storm intensity. The Joint Typhoon Warning Center anticipates it will become a typhoon within 36 hours, when it is expected to reach the Marianas.
The storm is expected to maintain its general course with a slight decrease in speed over the next 24 hours, according to the National Weather Service.
A Typhoon Watch is in effect for the far northern island of Alamagan. That means that Alamagan should expect typhoon-strength destructive winds above 74 mph within the next 48 hours.
Rota, Tinian, Saipan, Agrihan, and Anatahan are under a Tropical Storm Watch. That means that damaging winds between 39 to 74 mph are expected on those islands within the next 48 hours.
Guam is within the storm's trajectory, but toward its southern perimeter.
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Stay safe, Marianas!
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