Pacific Typhoon Threat
Typhoon Bavi Threatens US Pacific Territories Still Recovering from Previous Storm
A powerful typhoon is heading toward U.S. territories in the western Pacific, and it could become a "super typhoon" — a storm with winds of 150 mph (241 kph) or stronger. The threat comes just months after Typhoon Sinlaku, the strongest tropical cyclone on Earth this year, already battered the region, according to WRAL.
Power has still not been fully restored across the U.S. Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) after Sinlaku's devastating strike. Now, Typhoon Bavi is closing in, and the National Weather Service on Guam is watching it closely, Yahoo News reported.
Typhoon Bavi Closing In on Already Battered Islands
The National Weather Service on Guam is tracking Bavi as it moves toward U.S. Pacific territories. Forecasters warn it could reach super typhoon status, meaning sustained winds at or above 150 mph. That is strong enough to flatten structures, uproot trees, and knock out power for months, MyNorthwest reported.
The Northern Mariana Islands sit directly in Bavi's potential path. Residents there are still waiting for electricity to come back after Sinlaku. Another major storm hitting the same area could make the recovery far worse, according to KTVB.
Sinlaku Left Northern Marianas Without Full Power for Months
Typhoon Sinlaku was the strongest tropical cyclone anywhere on Earth this year. It struck the Northern Mariana Islands with ferocious winds and relentless rain, knocking out power across the territory. Months later, crews are still working to restore electricity to residents, WRAL reported.
The islands have not had enough time to fully recover. Infrastructure repairs take time and money. A second major storm could undo whatever progress has been made, leaving thousands of residents in the dark again, according to Oskaloosa News.
Residents Split: Some Hope Guam Takes the Hit Instead
Not all residents are bracing the same way. Some people in the Northern Marianas are actually hoping Typhoon Bavi will strike Guam instead. They believe Guam's stronger infrastructure could handle the storm better and give their own islands a break, SWOKNEWS reported.
Others are simply hoping Bavi changes course entirely and avoids all populated areas. The uncertainty is adding stress to communities that are already worn down. Officials have not yet issued full evacuation orders, but residents are watching forecasts closely.
El Niño Is Making Dangerous Storms More Likely Worldwide
The threat of super typhoons is not random. Scientists point to El Niño — a natural warming pattern in the Pacific Ocean — as a key driver. El Niño raises ocean temperatures, giving storms more energy to grow stronger and faster, according to Yahoo News.
El Niño is expected to make extreme weather worse across the planet. It adds on top of the long-term warming caused by fossil fuel pollution. Together, the two forces are pushing storms like Bavi to reach higher wind speeds more often, MyNorthwest reported.
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