NPR Updates Typhoon Bavi's Wind Speeds and Warning Status

A significant change in the NPR article about Super Typhoon Bavi concerns the update of the storm's wind speeds and the issuance of typhoon warnings. The article now states that the storm's wind speeds make it a major Category 5 storm, with winds of 180 miles per hour. This change is notable because it reflects a significant increase in the storm's intensity. Additionally, the article now includes information about the National Weather Service (NWS) issuing typhoon warnings for the islands of Guam, Rota, Tinian, and Saipan, as well as a quote from the NWS warning of widespread destructive winds in excess of 150 mph. This update provides more specificity and urgency to the article, highlighting the potential severity of the storm's impact on the affected areas.

Related Changes

Guam and surrounding Pacific islands brace for impact of Super Typhoon Bavi +413 -457
Kristin Wright This satellite image from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shows Typhoon Bavi east of the U.S.
− Pacific island territory of Guam on Friday, July 3, 2026.
+ Pacific island territory of Guam on Friday.
− National Oceanic and Atmospheric/AP hide caption Residents of the remote U.S.
+ National Oceanic and Atmospheric/AP hide caption Super Typhoon Bavi is bringing intense winds to the remote U.S.
− territories of Guam and the other Northern Mariana Islands are preparing for the arrival of Super Typhoon Bavi, which is forecast to cause severe damage.
+ territories of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, as forecasters warn of the potential for severe damage.
− The rapidly intensifying typhoon is expected to pass through the region Monday morning local time and potentially bring catastrophic damage to the territories in the Pacific Ocean, as Isla Public Media has reported.
+ The National Weather Service (NWS) issued typhoon warnings for the islands of Guam, Rota, Tinian and Saipan, the capital of the Northern Mariana Islands.
− Weather Parts of Northern Marianas could be without power for weeks after super typhoon The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued typhoon warnings for the islands of Guam, Rota, Tinian and Saipan, the capital of the Northern Mariana Islands.
+ On Monday morning local time, the eye of the storm was passing over the island of Rota. "Widespread destructive winds in excess of 150 mph are occurring," the NWS said. Rota is located some 40 miles northeast of Guam.
− Local NWS meteorologist Landon Aydlett spoke to NPR from central Guam just after 1:30 a.m.
+ "This is an extremely dangerous and life-threatening situation," forecasters said in an update. Weather Parts of Northern Marianas could be without power for weeks after super typhoon Local NWS meteorologist Landon Aydlett spoke to NPR from central Guam just after 1:30 a.m.
on Monday local time. He said weather conditions were steadily deteriorating across all four populated islands, including torrential rain and strengthening winds. "This is a powerhouse super typhoon and this is going to be a very grim outlook for any island that takes a direct hit and that still looks like it could be the island of Rota," said Aydlett, who had been awake for nearly 24 hours tracking the super typhoon.
− "It's going to be probably near catastrophic for the entire island." Rota is northeast of Guam. The super typhoon was moving north with maximum sustained winds of 165 miles per hour on Sunday, according to Guam's Joint Information Center.
+ "It's going to be probably near catastrophic for the entire island." The super typhoon was moving west-northwest with maximum sustained winds of 180 miles per hour at 7 a.m.
− The Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) estimates that Bavi's winds could strengthen to 180 miles per hour as it passes over the islands, which is a major category five storm.
+ on Monday, according to Guam's Joint Information Center.
+ Bavi's wind speeds make it a major Category 5 storm.
Structural damage, fallen trees and power outages are expected.
− The JTWC designates tropical cyclones with sustained winds of 150 miles per hour or greater within the western north Pacific as super typhoons.
+ The Joint Typhoon Warning Center designates tropical cyclones with sustained winds of 150 miles per hour or greater within the western north Pacific as super typhoons.
− Guam Governor Lou Leon Guerrero transitioned the island into a heightened status of emergency readiness on Sunday.
+ Guam Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero transitioned the island into a heightened status of emergency readiness on Sunday.
"We want you to all be making sure that you are prepared," Guerrero said during a press briefing.
− "Be safe in your homes and please do not travel the roads, stay out of the waters and be safe." According to government officials, the super typhoon will move to its closest point to Guam and bring the most catastrophic impacts Monday morning local time.
+ "Be safe in your homes and please do not travel the roads, stay out of the waters and be safe." Local governments have opened emergency shelters, which have been nearing capacity, as residents in low-lying areas and those living in wood and tin homes have especially sought refuge.
− Local governments have opened emergency shelters, which have been nearing capacity, as residents in low-lying areas and those living in wood and tin homes have especially sought refuge.
+ Aydlett says there is particular concern for people who are still recovering from Typhoon Sinlaku, which hit the region in April.
− Aydlett says there is particular concern for people who are still recovering from Typhoon Sinlaku, which hit the region in April, as Super Typhoon Bavi approaches.
"We have a lot of vulnerable communities across northern Guam, people that live in more substandard building materials," he said.
− "From what I've heard from Saipan and Tinian, where many people still have no power two-and-a-half months after Sinlaku ravaged those islands, the shelters are packed and they had to turn people away." Power outages are already being reported throughout the island of Guam, while some flights have been canceled and the Port Authority of Guam has suspended operations.
+ "From what I've heard from Saipan and Tinian, where many people still have no power two-and-a-half months after Sinlaku ravaged those islands, the shelters are packed and they had to turn people away." Power outages were already being reported throughout the island of Guam earlier on Sunday, while some flights were canceled and the Port Authority of Guam has suspended operations.
− Flash flood warnings are in effect across Rota, Saipan, Tinian and Guam, including Dededo, its most populous village.
+ Forecasters warned of damaging flash flooding across the islands.
− Dozens of schools and hospitals could be affected, according to the National Weather Service.
+ Dozens of schools and hospitals could be affected, according to the NWS.
Aydlett says officials have been warning residents about the super typhoon for several days. "People need to hunker down wherever they are because it's just too dangerous to go out at this point," he said. "We aim for zero fatalities and my gosh, I hope that's how it turns out.
− It's going to be a rough night and a rough day." Andersen Air Force on Guam is asking that only essential personnel access the base.
+ It's going to be a rough night and a rough day." Andersen Air Force Base on Guam is asking that only essential personnel access the base.
Isla Public Media's News Director Dana Williams contributed to this report. Sponsor Message Become an NPR sponsor