UPDATE: NWS Guam RWO, 7:30 a.m. April 15, 2026
Typhoon Sinlaku was downgraded from super typhoon status to a Category 4 typhoon Wednesday morning but continued to inflict a prolonged and destructive assault on Saipan and Tinian, with its eyewall still positioned over or just west of both islands as the storm crawled slowly northward.
As of 7 a.m. Wednesday, Sinlaku was located 35 miles northwest of Saipan and Tinian, 85 miles north of Rota and 135 miles north-northeast of Guam, moving north-northwest at just 4 mph with maximum sustained winds of 130 mph. Over the previous 12 hours, the storm moved only 60 to 70 miles — a crawl that has dramatically prolonged the suffering across the CNMI.
“Hang in there — this has been a very long and destructive event, but will soon come to an end,” NWS said.
Typhoon-Force winds extend 75 miles from the center, with Tropical Storm-Force winds reaching 265 miles out. An Extreme Wind Warning remains in effect for Saipan and Tinian through 10:15 a.m.
Sinlaku will continue curving north, gradually gaining distance from Saipan and Tinian. Typhoon conditions will slowly ease across both islands through the day but Tropical Storm-Force conditions will persist there through much of Thursday. The far northern islands of Alamagan, Pagan and Agrihan face typhoon conditions overnight tonight.
For Guam and Rota, Tropical Storm-Force conditions are expected to persist through most of Wednesday and into the evening hours. A Tropical Storm Warning and Typhoon Watch remain in effect for Guam.
Typhoon Warnings remain in effect for Rota, Tinian, Saipan, Alamagan, Pagan and Agrihan.
All residents across the Marianas are urged to remain sheltered in place. Updates at weather.gov/gum/cyclones. Crisis Lifeline: 988, available 24/7.
This Storm Update is brought to you by Storm Sponsors: Tenorio Muna Barnes-Building Guam’s future together and Wise Owl Animal Hospital.