Guam flag Photo: RNZ Pacific / Eleisha Foon
Tropical Depression Bebinca has passed over southern Guam, and limited damage is expected according to the US National Weather Service.
Meteorologist Joshua Schank said Bebinca passed over southern Guam at about 4am local time.
Guam's airport has reported sustained winds of about 45 to 56 kilometres per hour, with gusts reaching as high as 80 kilometres per hour.
Meteorologist Joshua Schank said Guam's infrastructure is designed to withstand typhoon-force winds exceeding 119 kilometres per hour.
"We're expecting overall damage to be kind of limited," he said.
"Any loose objects, canopies that were left out could definitely be blown around, and that that would be most likely the most extent of the damage, along with any flooding from the heavy rain that that we're getting right now.
"But definitely nothing compared to what it was like for Mawar."
Some areas received 50 millimetres of rain between 3am to 4am local time.
"As this rain continues with rain rates around half an inch to an inch (12.7mm to 25.4mm), or maybe even greater, the main impacts would just be roads that will be difficult to travel through, any low lying areas outside, like popular hiking trails would be dangerous.
"We're not expecting major flooding to find people where they're at, just only if they go looking for it."
Schank said the strong winds associated with the depression are going to continue this morning and possibly into the afternoon.
"Do not try to go outside; remain where you are if you feel safe and continue to wait for any further messages."
Schank said there was a second part of the system: "It's kind of a one-two punch."
He said breezy to windy conditions will continue near the Northern Mariana Islands over the next couple of days due to forecast monsoon conditions.
"We are going to likely remain windy through tonight and possibly tomorrow, before winds will start to then decrease as we move towards the weekend."
Bebinca is moving in a west-northwest direction.
Schank said in will be in open ocean in the Philippine Sea for the most part.
He said Bebinca has potential to become a tropical storm later on Wednesday and a strong tropical storm on Thursday, but it will be far enough away to not affect the Northern Mariana Islands.
The CNMI Emergency Operations Centre has a tropical storm warning in place for Guam, Rota, Tinian and Saipan due to Bebinca.
The Guam and CNMI governments have moved to Condition of Readiness III, and a high surf warning and flood advisory are in effect all week, with impacts extending to Yap State, Palau, and surrounding islands.
Emergency shelters have been set up in Guam, and the CNMI Public School System has cancelled all classes on Wednesday.