News

Tropical Cyclone Alert now in force

December 30, 2018 1:24 pm

A tropical cyclone alert is now in force for Rotuma, Yasawa group, Vanua Levu, Taveuni and nearby smaller islands, northern Viti Levu, northern Lau and Lomaiviti group.

The Fiji Meteorological Services says Tropical Disturbance 03F centre was located about 1010km west of Rotuma and about 1160km northwest of Nadi at 10am today.

TD03F is moving east-southeast at about 20km/hr.

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Close to the centre the 10 minute average winds is estimated to be about 45km/hr.

On its anticipated development and track, the system may bring damaging gale force winds over
Rotuma, Yasawa Group, Vanua Levu, Taveuni and Northern Viti Levu, Northern Lau and Lomaiviti Group in the next 24 to 36 hours

TD03F is expected to intensify into a depression within the next 6 to 12 hours with average winds of 55km/hr.

It may further intensify into a tropical cyclone in the next 18 to 24 hours.

The disturbance is currently moving east at about 20km/hr and its centre is expected to be located about 590km west of Rotuma or about 920km northwest of Nadi at 10pm tonight and about 290km west of Rotuma or about 630 km north-northwest of Nadi at 10am tomorrow.

For Rotuma, expect strong northwest winds with average speed of 50km/hr with gusts to 80km/hr possibly increasing to damaging gale force winds with average speed up to 65km/hr and
momentary gusts to 90km/hr from around midday tomorrow.

Expect periods of rain, heavy at times and few thunderstorms over Rotuma. Rain becoming frequent from later today with squally thunderstorms. Damaging heavy swells and sea flooding of low lying coastal areas is also anticipated.

For Yasawa Group, Vanua Levu, Taveuni and nearby smaller islands, Northern Viti Levu, Northern Lau and Lomaiviti Group, expect moderate to fresh southeast winds. Winds becoming
strong with average speed of 50km/hr and momentary gusts to 80km/hr from tomorrow afternoon.

Winds may further increase to damaging gale force with average speed up to 65km/hr and momentary gusts to 90km/hr from tomorrow evening.

Expect periods of rain, heavy at times and  few thunderstorms. Rain becoming frequent from later tomorrow.

For Mamanuca Group, Eastern Viti Levu and Kadavu and nearby smaller islands: Expect moderate to fresh southeast winds. Winds becoming strong with average speed of 50km/hr and momentary  gusts to 80km/hr from tomorrow evening. Expect periods of rain, heavy at times and few thunderstorms. Rain becoming frequent from later tomorrow.

A heavy rain warning remains in force Vanua Levu, Taveuni and nearby smaller islands, Yasawa and Mamanuca group, kadavu and nearby smaller islands, Lau and Lomaiviti group and eastern half of Viti Levu.

A heavy rain alert is now in force for the rest of Fiji.

A flood warning remains in force for low lying areas adjacent to and downstream of Naqali station as well as low lying areas of Navua and Rewa catchment

A flood alert remains in force for low lying areas and areas adjacent to major rivers of Vanua Levu.

Mariners can expect southeast winds 20 to 25 knots and rough seas. Winds increasing to 25 to 30 knots and rough to rough seas from tomorrow.

Winds may further increase to 35 to 40 knots and high seas over Yasawa Waters, Northern Vanua Levu Waters, Vatu-i-Ra Passage and Northern Koro Sea from tomorrow evening

https://www.windy.com/-Rain-thunder-rain?rain,-16.489,178.022,6