The National Weather Service (NWS) Guam Weather Forecast Office continues to monitor what is now Tropical Depression 15W, formerly known as Invest 98W, as it becomes better organized. 

As of 1 p.m., Tropical Depression 15W was located near 9.9 degrees north latitude and 154.2 degrees east longitude, about 650 miles east-southeast of Guam, moving west-northwest at 13 mph. 

What to Expect

The National Weather Service (NWS) Guam Weather Forecast Office continues to monitor Invest 98W as it becomes better organized. 98W is now the subject of a Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert, indicating further strengthening into a tropical depression is likely within 24 hours. As it approaches and strengthens, heavy rainfall and flooding concerns will develop for the Marianas. 

Heavy Rainfall and Strong Winds are Possible Beginning Monday

The National Weather Service (NWS) Guam Weather Forecast Office issued a hydrologic outlook for Guam. A developing tropical disturbance, known as Invest 98W, is currently located just west-northwest of Pohnpei near 7 degrees north latitude and 157 degrees east longitude.

Locally Heavy Showers and Gusty Winds Possible Next Week;

Disturbance near Pohnpei Being Monitored

The National Weather Service (NWS) Guam Weather Forecast Office advised there is a potential for an increase in showers by early next week as a tropical disturbance, Invest Area 98W, approaches from central Micronesia.

Guam will soon take part in the world’s largest earthquake drill, the Great ShakeOut. On Thursday, October 19, 2023 at 10:19 a.m. (ChST), participants will practice the earthquake response procedure; “Drop, Cover and Hold On” from wherever they are. The drill will last for one minute.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), in coordination with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), is scheduled to conduct a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and the Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) on October 4, 2023 beginning at 2:20 p.m. (EDT), which converts to Thursday, October 5, 2023 at 4:20 a.m. (ChST).

Flood Advisory in Effect; Drive with Caution through this Morning

The National Weather Service (NWS) Guam Weather Forecast Office advised a trade-wind trough and a monsoon trough are converging over Guam and Rota this morning. The two features will interact bringing heavy rain.

Earthquake Recorded 

The U.S. Geological Survey recorded an earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 4.8 that struck 33 km ESE of Inarajan Village, Guam, with a depth of 45.8 km, at 6:04 p.m. (ChST). 

As advised by the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, there is no tsunami threat to the Marianas from the earthquake. There were no major damages or injuries reported from the earthquake.