Hurricane (Typhoon) — Rota, Guam

2023-10-10 to 2023-10-11 · Rota, Guam

Event narrative

Bolaven went through the Marianas On Oct 10th as a Category 1 typhoon on the Modified Saffir-Simpson Tropical Cyclone Scale for the Western North Pacific, with winds around 80 mph and a estimated minimum central pressure 982 mb, passing through the channel between the islands of Rota and Tinian. Bolaven then rapidly intensified as it continued northwest and then north-northwest into the Philippine Sea, becoming a 160 mph super typhoon of Category 5 strength on Oct 11th. Bolaven would reach estimated peak intensity of 180 mph on October 12th, with a estimated minimum central pressure of 904 mb, before turning northeast on October 13th, exiting WFO Guam Area of Responsibility, and then eventually becoming an extratropical cyclone in the northern Pacific. Rota had very little data as the only observations available from Rota during this time was the COOP observers, who also serve as the observers for Rota Airport, which was closed during the storm. The 48 hour rainfall reported by the COOP observers when they returned on Oct 12th, reported 2 inches of rain. The Department of Public Safety assessed much of the island the morning after Bolaven's passage. A number of trees were down and roads were blocked. there were widespread power outages during and immediately after Bolaven's passage, but infrastructure on Rota is limited. Power was restored and roads made passable within 1-2 days.

Wider weather episode

Super Typhoon Bolaven formed in northern Chuuk State to the northeast of Chuuk Lagoon on October 7th and very slowly intensified as it moved west to west-northwest toward the Marianas. Bolaven intensified to a tropical storm on October 8th NNE of Chuuk then was slow to intensify further for the next day. It wasn't until October 10th that Bolaven reached Category 1 typhoon status with maximum sustained winds of 80 mph. At this point, it was located 50 miles ESE of Rota. Bolaven soon passed between the islands of Rota and Tinian, keeping the strongest of the typhoon-force winds over the open waters between the two islands, then began to rapidly intensify as it continued northwest then north-northwest into the Philippine Sea. Bolaven was classified a super typhoon with maximum winds of 160 mph as it continued NNW, keeping west of the far northern Mariana Islands. STY Bolaven reached its estimated peak intensity of 180 mph on 12 October before beginning a turn to the northeast on 13 October and exiting to the north of the WFO Guam Area of Responsibility. No injuries, fatalities, or major damage was reported within the Marianas.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1144543. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.