Moderate Extreme Weather ● Active
Special Weather Statement issued October 23 at 12:32PM ChST by NWS Tiyan GU, United States of America
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Invest 97W continues to develop over the northern Marshall Islands,
centered near 11N166E in the vicinity of Bikini and Rongelap Atolls.
97W is now the subject of a Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert (TCFA)
by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC), meaning it is expected
to develop into a significant tropical cyclone (a tropical
depression) within 24 hours. Himawari visible satellite imagery this
afternoon shows numerous showers and isolated thunderstorms across
the northern Marshall Islands, focused mainly over the
northwesternmost islands and atolls. Scatterometry data from this
morning shows fresh to strong west winds near Ujae and Ebadon Atolls,
and surface observations on Kwajalein Island are showing fresh west
winds with frequent strong gusts. Near-gale force gusts have been
observed with passing showers, and significant boat damage was
recently reported along west-facing exposures of Kwajalein as well.
Surging west winds are expected to continue across the western and
central Marshall Islands, south of Invest 97W's center, and boats
should be safely moved from west-facing exposures and secured, if
possible. Fresh to strong west winds will begin to shift
southwesterly tonight as 97W strengthens, and persist through Sunday
as 97W begins to lift north out of the RMI. Locally heavy showers
will be possible across the northern half of the Marshall Islands
through the weekend. Showers and winds will begin to diminish Sunday
night as 97W pulls farther away, but elevated west to southwest swell
associated with the disturbance may persist into early next week.
Elevated surf along west and south reefs may become hazardous this
weekend into early next week as these swells persist. This situation
will be closely monitored for additional impacts to the Marshall
Islands.
For more information on Invest 97W, see bulletins issued by JTWC
under WMO header ABPW10 PGTW.
Measurements
| Coordinates | 39.9645, -100.8105 |
|---|---|
| Region | Majuro Coastal Waters |
| Location Precision | country |
| Issuing Authority | United States of America — us-noaa-nws-en-marine |
| Cap Urgency | Expected |
| Cap Certainty | Observed |
| Cap Expires | 2026-10-24T12:45:00+10:00 |
Official source
Warnings courtesy of the issuing national meteorological service, via the WMO Alert Hub.
This is an official warning issued by the authority named above. Follow its instructions and those of your local emergency services.
Severity as published by WMO Alert Hub (national weather services).
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Source updated 1 hour ago (Oct 23, 2026 02:33 UTC) · we last heard from WMO Alert Hub (national weather services) 33 seconds ago
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About this location
The agency did not publish coordinates for this warning. The pin is the centre of the country, not the location of the event — read the area name, not the map, for where it applies.
Area as the agency stated it: Majuro Coastal Waters
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