In a 5:30 a.m. briefing on Sunday, Oct. 18, Warning Coordination Meteorologist Landon Aydlett from the National Weather Service explained that Typhoon Champi made its closest point of approach at 4:26 a.m.
According to Aydlett, current forecasts are showing that Guam is experiencing 40 mile per hour sustained winds with 70 to 80 miles per hour gusts of wind. “We’re going to have a lot of strong tropical storm force, low-end Category 1 typhoon force winds continue across Guam as we get on to the wetter side of the system,” he said.
Aydlett added that there will likely be an abundance of rainfall and thunderstorms. The NWS flash flood warning has been extended until 7:30 a.m. as a result. However, the flash flood watch for Saipan and Tinian has been lifted.
“This was looking very grim for us over the last 12 hours as it was tracking toward us and rapidly intensifying. But a last-minute dive to the west kept the strongest typhoon, major typhoon-enforced winds, just offshore and over far southern Guam,” Aydlett said. As the storm continues to move from the region, Aydlett urged that residents “stay in safe shelter, don’t let your guard down” with the continuation of heavy weather condition throughout the day.
Watch the full briefing on our YouTube channel and Facebook page.
Stay tuned for the next NWS update around 7 a.m.
Share this article:
