A damaging heavy swell warning remains in force for low lying coastal areas of Kadavu, Beqa, Vatulele, southern Lau group, Mamanuca group, Southern and western Viti Levu.

Mariners are advised to swell heights over open waters may reach 3.5 to 4.5m.

A heavy rain warning remains in force for the Fiji group and a strong wind warning remains in force for all land areas of Fiji.

The Fiji Meteorology Service says a high-pressure system together with a low-pressure system to the far south of Fiji generates and directs moderate to heavy southerly swells towards the group.

Meanwhile, a trough of low pressure with an embedded low-pressure system is moving onto the group from the west.

Associated cloud and rain with squally thunderstorm, strong and gusty winds are expected to affect the country till later today.

Forecast to midnight tonight for the Fiji group, Strong southeast to northerly winds with average speeds of 40km/hr with momentary gusts to 55km/hr.

Winds easing to moderate to fresh and becoming predominantly southeasterly from later today.

For Yasawa and Mamanuca group, Viti Levu, Kadavu and nearby smaller
Islands, Lau and Lomaiviti group, Southern Vanua Levu there will be periods of rain, heavy at times and few squally thunderstorms.

For the rest of Fiji, there will be Occasional rain, heavy at times and few thunderstorms.

Localized heavy falls may lead to flash flooding of low lying areas.

Rain easing from the west from later today.

Sea flooding during high tides expected over low lying coastal areas of Kadavu, Beqa, Vatulele, Southern Lau group, and Mamanuca group, southern and western Viti Levu.

There will be rough to very rough seas.