Typhoon In-fa Will Pass Near Guam Saturday

Jon Erdman
Published: November 19,2015

After weakening to a tropical storm Wednesday, In-fa has regained typhoon status as it churns in the western Pacific Ocean. In-fa may continue to intensify as it passes near or south of Guam Saturday (local time) as a more intense typhoon.
Here are the latest statistics, forecast path and satellite imagery on In-fa.

• Location: About 320 miles southeast of Guam.
• Movement: Generally toward the northwest the next few days, increasing its forward speed as it passes near Guam Saturday. Early next week, In-fa should round the western edge of the subtropical ridge of high pressure and become caught up in the jet stream, bending it sharply east-northeast, away from Taiwan and mainland Japan.
• Intensity: While it weakened somewhat on Wednesday into Thursday, In-fa is expected to continue restrengthening into the weekend, and may be a Category 2 or 3 equivalent tropical cyclone as it passes near or south of Guam Saturday. In-fa could potentially reach Category 4 status for a time given the favorable environment ahead of the cyclone.
• Guam forecast: The majority of our forecast guidance tracks the center of In-fa to the south of Guam Saturday. How far south, as well as its intensity and size of its wind field at the time of its approach remain uncertain. A tropical storm warning in now in effect for Guam, meaning tropical storm conditions (39-74 mph winds) are expected within 48 hours. Locally heavy rain from clusters of thunderstorms well to the west-northwest of In-fa may trigger local flooding, even if the storm's center remains well to the south.
• Chuuk impact: In-fa has tracked through and is now located west of Chuuk state, however gusty winds and locally heavy rain will linger there.  (Latest NWS alerts)

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Status, Forecast Maps

Latest Position, Intensity, Movement

Forecast Path, Intensity

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