According to the latest storm news from the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) and the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), the tropical depression off the Philippines has strengthened into a tropical storm and is internationally named Nuri.
As of the afternoon of March 11, the center of Typhoon Nuri was located about 174 km northwest of Yap Island (Micronesia), with sea waves about 4.3 m high. In the last 6 hours, the typhoon moved southwest at a speed of about 19 km/h, before it was forecast to gradually change direction to southeast and then east in the next 6-12 hours.
The latest data shows that Typhoon Nuri is located at about 10.4 degrees north latitude and 136.9 degrees east longitude, equivalent to about 575 miles west-southwest of Guam Island.
It is forecast that the storm will turn northeast and approach the Mariana Islands in the coming days, possibly passing sideways or north of Anatahan Island (Northern Mariana Islands) at the end of March 14.
According to forecasts from the US National Weather Service (NWS) in Guam, heavy rain, scattered thunderstorms and strong winds may occur in the Yap area and surrounding islands in the next 48-60 hours. If the trajectory moves south, Guam island may suffer stronger winds than currently forecast.
Areas such as Ulithi and Yap Proper have now been placed under tropical storm warning, due to the possibility of sustained winds from 63 km/h or more.
According to international forecast models, Typhoon Nuri may weaken slightly in the next 24-36 hours, as atmospheric conditions are still relatively favorable. However, after that, the typhoon will encounter strong winds and dry air, causing rapid weakening.
Forecast for the next 2-3 days, when moving further northeast and interacting with upper-level vents, storm Nuri is likely to weaken and dissipate before turning into an extratropical cyclone.
Notably, Typhoon Nuri is the first storm to be named in the Western Pacific in March since Super Typhoon Jelawat in 2018. The name Nuri was proposed by Malaysia, meaning only one species of blue-crowned parrot.
According to meteorological agencies, Typhoon Nuri is not forecast to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR). However, the storm's rainbow is still causing scattered rain in the eastern Mindanao area, which may affect sea weather and offshore tourism activities in the next few days.
Tourists planning to visit Guam, Yap, the Mariana Islands or the eastern Philippines should closely monitor tropical depression and storm Nuri bulletins, as the weather may change rapidly in the next few days.
Diving, island trips, fishing or sea tourism can be interrupted due to big waves and strong winds. Tourists should prioritize activities inland, and check flight and boat schedules before moving.
In case of heavy rain or thunderstorms, it is necessary to avoid coastal areas, mountainsides and small streams due to the risk of flash floods, landslides or localized water surges.
