By: Eustoria Marie Borja
Koror, Palau – Westerly winds and a developing monsoon trough are expected to bring heavy rainfall, strong winds, and increased seas to Palau later this week. According to the National Weather Service in Guam, westerly winds are already increasing across the region, leading to patchy, scattered showers today.
Increasing showers forming south of Palau, with the potential for thunderstorms and more widespread showers tonight into Tuesday as a weather disturbance, referred to as Invest 95W, moves closer to the region.
The system is expected to bring a fresh to strong monsoonal flow later in the week, likely leading to more frequent and heavier showers from Wednesday night through Friday.
Invest 95W and Its Impact
Invest 95W, currently located near 9.1N152.6E, is slowly strengthening as it approaches the Marianas. Although it is not forecasted to pose a significant wind threat to Palau or Yap at this time, the disturbance will contribute to rainy weather and increased winds across the region. Westerly winds, associated with the monsoonal flow, are expected to increase further by midweek, resulting in gusty conditions and scattered thunderstorms.
Sea Conditions
Sea conditions around Palau and Yap currently remain calm, with combined seas of 2 to 3 feet. However, as the monsoon trough redevelops and the westerly winds intensify, a gradual increase in sea height is expected by midweek. Swells nearing 10 feet and stronger winds are anticipated in the latter half of the week, making marine conditions potentially hazardous
Sea conditions are projected to worsen, particularly between Wednesday night and Friday.