A tropical storm watch remains in effect for the Northern Marianas as tropical Storm Francisco intensified into a typhoon.
The system is expected to slowly pass west of the Marianas today.
The National Weather Service says although Francisco has strengthened into a typhoon, winds of more than 100 kilometres an hour won't affect Saipan, Tinian and Rota.
The typhoon is moving slowly north-northwest while continuing to intensify.
