Tropical Storm Chan-hom has resumed a northwesterly motion and it is moving toward the Mariana Islands.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Chan-hom was located at latitude 12.7°N and longitude 148.2°E which put it about 250 miles (400 km) east-southeast of Guam.  Chan-hom was moving toward the northwest at 11 m.p.h. (18 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 65 m.p.h. (105 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 989 mb.  A Typhoon Watch is in effect for Guam, Rota, Tinian and Saipan.

The upper level low that produced the vertical wind shear which blew the top off Chan-hom on Thursday moved northeast and the upper level winds decreased on Friday.  A reduction in vertical wind shear allowed new thunderstorms to develop around the center of circulation and the circulation became better organized.  The thunderstorms near the center are beginning to generate upper level divergence and more spiral bands appear to be forming.  Chan-hom is over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 29°C.  The environment is favorable for intensification and rapid intensification is possible, if the wind shear remains modest.  Chan-hom could attain typhoon intensity before it reaches the Mariana Islands.

A subtropical ridge is steering Chan-hom toward the northwest and that ridge is expected to continue to steer it in the same general direction during the next few days.  On its anticipated track, Chan-hom could approach the Mariana Islands in about 24 hours.  The center could pass north of Guam, but it may pass near to Rota, Tinian or Saipan.  Chan-hom will bring wind and heavy rain to any islands it crosses.