Residents in the Northern Marianas are being warned to prepare with a nearby tropical storm forecast to intensify, possibly into a typhoon.
Tropical Storm Cimaron. Photo: Wikimedia Commons
A tropical storm warning has been issued for Saipan and Tinian, the territory's main islands.
Tropical Storm Cimaron is about 400 kms east-northeast of Saipan, heading towards the Marianas at 22 km/h.
The National Weather Service said the storm was packing winds in excess of 100km/h at its centre.
Authorities said the Northern Marianas could expect winds as high as 120km/h in the coming day, as well as torrential rain and large waves.
Advisories are also in effect for some of the northern islands and nearby Guam, where residents are being warned of the possibility of floods.