NWS: New tropical disturbance, 91W, east of Saipan not expected to significantly develop

The National Weather Service Guam on Tuesday said a tropical disturbance east of Saipan is not expected to significantly develop at this time but will be the "focus for showers, thunderstorms, locally heavy rainfall and gusty winds."

NWS, which released its latest weekly regional weather outlook, said the weak tropical disturbance, Invest 91W, is a poorly defined circulation within the trough axis extending east-west through the CNMI.

It's rated as "sub low" for development and is not expected to develop significantly as it moves west.

"However, 91W will be the focus of showers, locally heavy rainfall, thunderstorms and stronger gusts. Regardless of its prognosis, we'll keep a close watch on 91W while it remains in the region," NWS said.

A classic wet season pattern will be in place across Guam and the CNMI this week while the trough and Invest 91W remains near.

"Expect a mix of sun, episodic showers (locally heavy at times), and variable winds – south to southwest, south of the trough axis; light and variable near the axis, and southeast to east, to the north," NWS said.

Elsewhere across the region, there are no suspect areas for significant development.

"Tropical cyclone development is not expected at least through the weekend," NWS added.

Relatively fair weather prevails across much of the NWS Guam area of responsibility, it said, except for the Marianas and Yap.

Showers and thunderstorms are also across eastern Micronesia, associated with a couple surface troughs. A ridge of drier weather extends from Chuuk to south of Yap and Palau.