Former Tropical Storm Saudel intensified to a typhoon east of the Marianas on Friday morning. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Friday the center of Typhoon Saudel was located at latitude 16.4°N and longitude 147.8°E which put the center about 160 miles (260 km) east-northeast of Saipan. Saudel was moving toward the north-northwest at 15 m.p.h. (24 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 80 m.p.h. (130 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 100 m.p.h. (160 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 983 mb.
Typhoon Warnings are in effect for Pagan and Agrihan.
A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Alamagan.
A Typhoon Watch is also in effect for Alamagan.
Tropical Storm Watches are in effect for Tinian and Saipan.
Former Tropical Storm Saudel intensified to a typhoon on Friday morning. The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the center of Typhoon Saudel. A circular eye formed at the center of Saudel’s circulation. The eye was surrounded by a ring of thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Typhoon Saudel. Storms near the center of Saudel generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon. The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.
The strongest winds were occurring in the eastern half of Typhoon Saudel. Winds to typhoon force extended out 35 miles (55 km) in the eastern half of Saudel’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 140 miles (220 km) from the center of Typhoon Saudel.
Typhoon Saudel will move through an environment that will be very favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Saudel will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C. It will move into a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. Typhoon Saudel will intensify during the next 24 hours. Saudel is likely to intensify rapidly at times. Typhoon Saudel is likely to strengthen to the equivalent of a major hurricane during the next 24 hours.
Typhoon Saudel will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system that is over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Saudel toward the northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, the center of Typhoon Saudel will be near Agrihan and Pagan in less than 12 hours.
Typhoon Saudel will bring strong winds and heavy rain to Pagan and Agrihan. Heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods. Saudel will also bring gusty winds and heavy rain to Alamagan. Typhoon Saudel could bring gusty winds to Tinian and Saipan.

