Tropical Storm Kong-rey (23W) is well west of the Marianas and continuing to move away, and Invest 98W is now closed by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center as the monsoonal pattern slowly weakens and is pulled northwest with Kong-rey. This has allowed winds to decrease from the peaks observed yesterday and are now about 10 to 20 mph from Guam to Saipan, but may still be pushing up to 25 mph, with gusts to 30 mph at times tonight for the far northern islands of the Marianas. Showers and thunderstorms will linger across the Marianas, especially near and north of Rota through Sunday as the edge of the monsoon pattern lingers. The frequency of heavy showers that Tinian and Saipan has been experiencing will decrease and drier weather is expected by the middle of the upcoming week. Lightning from any thunderstorms that develop the next couple of days could threaten any outdoor events the rest of this weekend, so remember to seek hardened shelter and avoid tents, canopies, and tarps during thunderstorms. Sea and surf heights are decreasing but elevated opposing northeast and southwest to west swells will make surf and seas choppy. Always be careful when near, in, or on the water as rip currents will still be strong, especially near cuts in the reefs. Also as the distant swell generated by Kong-rey moves through the Marianas by the middle of next week, surf may become hazardous along west facing reefs and also generate a high risk of rip currents. This will be the last Special Weather Statement issued by the National Weather Service in Tiyan unless there are any major changes to the forecast. Visit weather.gov/gum for the latest weather information from the National Weather Service.