West Pacific tropics may heat up next week with first named storm since February

By Renee Duff, AccuWeather meteorologist

By Robert Richards, AccuWeather meteorologist

The tropics may activate in the western Pacific Ocean beginning late next week, with Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands being put on alert for potential impacts.

"There hasn't been a named system in the basin since Typhoon Wutip in February," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Dave Houk said.

"The last active tropical depression was around the middle of May," he added. This depression stayed out in the open water and did not affect any land masses.

AccuWeather meteorologists are monitoring an area between Micronesia and the Marshall Islands as the breeding ground for the basin's next possible tropical depression or storm.

Warm water and weak wind shear in this corridor may help a cluster of showers and thunderstorms grow and eventually develop into an organized low pressure area, according to Houk.

Houk said the time frame for this potential development would be between Thursday, June 20 and Tuesday, June 25.

The West Pacific's next tropical storm or typhoon will be named Sepat.

"Should this system develop into an organized tropical system, it would likely be steered to the northwest and could eventually bring some impacts to Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands sometime during the week of June 24," Houk said.

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Even if a full-fledged tropical system does not develop, these islands can face an uptick in shower and thunderstorm activity during the latter part of June.

"With the long tropical season ahead, this tropical concern is a good reminder to prepare an emergency kit if you haven’t already done so," Houk said.

Now is also the time to review or make preparedness plans so they are ready to be put into action when a tropical system threatens.

Interests across the region are encouraged to keep checking back with AccuWeather.com and download the free AccuWeather app for the latest updates on this tropical concern.