On March 26, the Naval Research Laboratory identified a broad area of low pressure in the Western North Pacific.

[1] The next day, the Joint Typhoon Warning Center issued a Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert due to an increased consolidation of the low-level circulation of the system.

[7] As Kong-rey began to take a turn to the north and east, it developed a ragged 16-nautical-mile-wide (30 km; 18 mi) eye.

[9] It strengthened slightly further before encountering strong wind shear and colder sea surface temperatures, causing core convection to rapidly weaken, and was downgraded back to a severe tropical storm on April 4.

[12] As Kong-rey headed towards the Mariana Islands, a typhoon watch was issued for Guam, Rota, Tinian and Saipan in the morning of April 1 local time.

Tropical Cyclone Condition of Readiness 3 was declared by the Governor of Guam at 2 p.m. local time (0400 UTC) the same day, advising residents to prepare emergency kits, review disaster plans and take necessary precautions as the storm approached.

Condition of Readiness 2 was declared across all four islands, and the Port Authority of Guam opened its Harbor of Refuge to house stranded boats.

[15] In Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands Governor Benigno R. Fitial released non-essential government staff in the afternoon of April 2, as the Emergency Management Office began opening shelters.