Moderate Special Weather Statement | Effective 08/22/2026 00:16

A tropical disturbance, known as JTWC's Invest 97W, is currently centered near 11N136E northwest of Yap and well north-northeast of Palau. As this system continues moving away from the region, it will continue to drag the enhanced southwesterly monsoonal flow along with it, allowing conditions to improve significantly across Palau and Yap. As such, the monsoon surge from days prior is no longer expected to produce significant rainfall and sustained fresh to strong westerlies across Yap, but likely to continue bringing strong to near-gale westerlies to Palau in the first few hours tonight before tapering down thereafter. Preliminary estimates indicate more than 18 inches of rain has fallen at Yap during this rain event, with much less over Palau. As Typhoon Saudel (17W) and Invest 97W continue to drag the aforementioned monsoonal flow and associated moisture northward, this will introduce slightly diffusive flow to Palau that may bring periods of dry spells the next several days. This will be the last issuance of the Special Weather Statement for Palau and Yap in regards to this weather pattern. Mid to long-term guidance indicates a reigniting monsoon surge across eastern Yap State and potentially the Marianas before the middle of next week, so residents of Yap should continue to monitor this development as we head into next week.