A life-threatening typhoon is barrelling its way across the western Pacific with sustained wind speeds of more than 250km/h, with people in the area warned to prepare urgently.

Bavi is expected to undergo rapid intensification before bringing super typhoon conditions to the U.S. Northern Mariana Islands this weekend.

Monster 200 km/h Typhoon Bavi is rapidly strengthening over the Philippine Sea, posing a growing threat to Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands.