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Tropical Cyclone alert remains in force

December 31, 2018 7:40 am

The forecast path shown above is the Nadi's best estimate of the cyclone's future movement and intensity. There is always some uncertainty associated with tropical cyclone forecasting and the grey zone indicates the range of likely tracks.

Tropical Disturbance 03F was located about 580km west of Rotuma and about 900km northwest of Nadi at 3am today.

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

The Fiji Meteorological Services says TD03F is expected to intensify into a depression within the next 6 to 12 hours with average winds of 55km/hr close to the centre.

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TDO3F may further intensify into a category 1 tropical cyclone in the next 18 to 24 hours with average winds of 65km/hr and momentary gusts to 90km/hr close to the centre.

On its projected path, TDO3F is expected to be located about 270km west of Rotuma or about 620km west-northwest of Nadi at 3pm today and about 280km south of Rotuma or about 300 km north of Nadi or 260km northwest of Labasa at 3am tomorrow.

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, Lau and Lomaiviti group in the next 18 to 36 hours.

TD03F is currently moving east-southeast at about 19km/hr and is expected to start tracking southeast in the next 12 to 18 hours.

Meanwhile, a tropical cyclone alert remains in force for Rotuma, Yasawa group, Vanua Levu, Taveuni and nearby smaller islands, northern Viti Levu, Lau and Lomaiviti group and eastern Viti Levu.

A strong wind warning remains in force for land areas and waters of Rotuma.

A strong wind warning remains in force for all Fiji waters.

A heavy rain warning remains in force for 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.

An active trough of low pressure with associated cloud and rain lies slow moving over Fiji.

Meanwhile, a flood alert remains in force for low lying areas and areas adjacent to major rivers of Vanua Levu and Rewa to Navua catchment.