National Weather Service Guam officials said Super Typhoon Bavi is making its final approach and within eight to 10 hours could be on Guam’s doorstep.
As of 10 p.m. Super Typhoon Bavi was 140 miles east of Guam and 125 miles southeast of Saipan continuing to gather strength with Category 5 winds already reaching 165 mph. This is an increase from 150 mph recorded earlier Sunday.
A report prepared by NWS Warning Coordination Meteorologist Landon Aydlett said based on the Joint Typhoon Warning Center Bulletin No.18, Bavi reached 165 mph at 7 p.m. and could attain maximum sustained winds of 175 before massing through the Marianas mid to late, Monday morning.
In the last several hours Bavi has slightly shifted northward which favors a track through the Tinian Channel between Rota and Tinian.
However Aydlett stressed, “wobbles” as Bavi moves forward still bring uncertainty over the “ultimate passage” through the Marianas.
“A southward shift would bring stronger typhoon conditions to Guam, while a shift to the north would bring stronger typhoon conditions to Saipan and Tinian,” Aydlett said.
“With 8 to 10 hours until the closest point of approach, shifts in track, timing and intensity remain a distinct possibility,” weather officials added.