Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Tiyan, Guam
Issued by NWS Tiyan, Guam
504 FXPQ50 PGUM 160803 AFDGUM Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Tiyan GU 603 PM ChST Sun Aug 16 2026 .Marianas Synopsis... Scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms are visible across the Marianas, and increasing in coverage around Guam and Rota. Gentle winds are prevailing. Models and observations show combined seas of 4 to 6 feet. && .Discussion... A convergence zone between the monsoon westerlies and east trade winds is setting up right over the Marianas tonight as widespread showers and isolated thunderstorms are now expected over Guam with a potential for locally heavy rainfall. Precipitation chances will decrease north of Guam, remaining scattered over Tinian and Saipan. The convergence zone is expected to move out of the area by tomorrow morning and be replaced with scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms. Lower cloud coverage and light winds over Tinian and Saipan could allow for island effect showers and thunderstorms over the southern portion of Saipan. Light and variable winds Tuesday morning will allow for island effect showers and thunderstorms to develop over Guam, Tinian, and Saipan, likely pushing south as a north wind begins to move into the area. Depending on the track and intensity of Invest 92W, another convergence zone may develop Tuesday night. Afterwards, scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms are expected most days for the rest of the forecast period. However, a fair amount of uncertainty remains due to 92W. && .Marine... Gentle southwesterlies are expected across the Marianas tonight before decreasing to light to gentle tomorrow, and then light and variable by Monday. A faster weakening of the monsoon trough to the west has dropped combined seas slightly to 4 to 6 feet and this is expected to remain steady before possibly decreasing slightly by Tuesday. A moderate risk of rip currents continues for the next few days along south, west, and north-facing reefs. There is a moderate risk of lightning through the week. A surge of moisture from the east bring widespread showers and isolated thunderstorms for Guam coastal waters with shower coverage decreasing to the north and becoming scattered over Tinian and Saipan. More bands of scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms will be possible throughout the week depending on the development and track of Invest 92W in eastern Micronesia. This system will continue to be monitored closely. && .Tropical Systems... A developing disturbance, Invest 92W, is centered north-northeast of Pohnpei near 10N157E. The invest lies within a broad west to east oriented trough. Latest satellite data shows a weak Low-Level Circulation Center (LLCC) with some convection near the center. The strongest convection lies along the trough to the west and within a band of convergence south of the trough and invest across Chuuk, Pohnpei and Kosrae States to south of Majuro. Guidance shows the system moving slowly west-northwest, then turning northwest toward the far northern CNMI late in the week. There is a large degree of uncertainty with Invest 92W. However, the general consensus is for gradual development as 92W moves toward the northern CNMI. The Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) has rated Invest 92W as low, meaning development is unlikely during the next 24 hours. Residents of the Marianas should continue to monitor forecasts for any changes to the expected evolution of Invest 92W. For more information on Invest 92W, see bulletins issued by JTWC under WMO header ABPW10 PGTW. Another weak circulation, newly formed Invest 94W, is centered well north of Yap near 18N136E. Although 94W is currently rated sub-low, meaning no development is expected over the next few days, model guidance has shown this region is favorable for development. invest 94W is not expected to affect the Marianas or Micronesia as it moves easst-northeast to northeast over the next few days. && .Eastern Micronesia... Invest 92W remains and the associated trough remain active across eastern Micronesia today. Latest 925mb analysis shows that this trough is very close to becoming the primary monsoon trough, with weak troughing now seen from Invest 93W (north of 25N) to Invest 92W. 92W has become a bit more organized, resulting in it being upgraded from sub-low to low. As the trough strengthens and replaces the monsoon trough farther north, this will feed more energy into Invest 92W as it moves northwest, with strong convergence continuing south of the trough where a southerly push will continue to cross the Equator and converge with the monsoonal flow. This will maintain an active pattern across the region for the next several days. Kosrae and Pohnpei can expect brief periods of little or no showers with periods of numerous to widespread locally heavy showers and isolated thunderstorms through the middle of the week. Heavy rainfall capable of producing flash flooding and mudslides remains a threat for the next few days. By the end of the week, Kosrae, then Pohnpei, can expect to see a drier pattern for a couple of days. For Majuro, the developing monsoon trough will be the main player, bringing a couple periods of numerous locally heavy showers and isolated thunderstorms to the Marshalls Monday into Monday night. Convection will begin to decrease Tuesday, though POPs (Probability of Precipitation) will remain in the 30 to 50 percent range through the end of the week. For the marine forecast, south swell produced by a southern hemisphere system will continue to produce hazardous surf along south facing reefs through Tuesday afternoon. Seas will then begin to subside a bit. For Pohnpei, increasing south to southwest swell could result in hazardous surf along south facing reefs, though it appears that surf will remain just below hazardous levels for now. The Small Craft Advisory for Pohnpei was allowed to expire as winds and seas have subsided. However, depending on the development of the monsoon trough and Invest 92W, seas and wind could increase again around midweek, requiring another Small Craft Advisory. Benign seas and light to gentle winds will continue for Majuro. && .Western Micronesia... Satellite observations show partly cloudy skies across Palau and Yap, and mostly cloudy skies across Chuuk. Altimetry shows combined seas between 3 and 5 feet across Palau and Yap, and 5 to 7 feet across Chuuk. Ridging between the two monsoonal patterns remains in place across Palau and Yap. The dry monsoonal flow looks to continue through Tuesday night for Yap and Wednesday night for Palau. Guidance has begun to converge on a solution that would send Invest 92W north of the Marianas, allowing for a convergent part of the monsoon pattern to establish itself over Palau and Yap late this week. Heavy rainfall and gusty winds will be possible. Scattered showers are currently present across Chuuk, but shower coverage is expected to increase to numerous tonight. As Invest 92W lifts northward, Chuuk will be positioned within the monsoon tail this week. Widespread locally heavy showers are expected Monday night through Thursday. Rainfall amounts between 4 and 8 inches will be possible, which may lead to flash flooding and mudslides. At this time, Invest 92W looks to remain disorganized until it moves well north of Micronesia. Gusty winds up to 30 knots will remain possible near heavier showers. Winds and seas have fallen below small craft criteria across Chuuk today, allowing the Small Craft Advisory to expire. Combined seas are between 5 and 7 feet for Chuuk and will remain choppy through the week. Seas could become hazardous to small craft towards the end of the week as the monsoon tail moves over Chuuk. Benign seas of 3 to 5 feet are expected across Yap and Palau through the next several days. && .GUM WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... GU...None. MP...None. Marianas Waters...None. && $$ Marianas: Ogle East Micronesia: Kleeschulte West Micronesia: Williams