Severe Tropical Cyclone Winston, Category 4, at noon today was located about 140km north-northwest of Neiafu, Vava’u.
In a Tropical Cyclone Advisory number 28 at 1:20pm this afternoon Friday, 19 February 2016, the Fua'amotu Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre stated that TC Winston is moving West at 22km/hr (12 Knots). On its current track Winston is expected to lie about 205km north of Neiafu or 195km south or Niuafo’ou at about 7.00pm this evening.
Near its centre, TC Winston is estimated to have an average wind speeds of 175km/hr (95 Knots) with momentary gusts of 250km/hr (135 knots).
Forecast for Vava’u - damaging east to southeast gale force winds 65-75km/hr (35-40 knots), increasing to storm force winds, 95-110km/hr (50-60 knots) with momentary gusts up to 130km-150km/hr (70-80 knots). Cloudy and overcast with periods of rain, heavy at times with squally thunderstorms. Very rough to high seas and increasing from high to very high seas possible flooding in low lying areas and a heavy damaging east to southeast swell.
Forecast for Niuatoputapu – West to southwest winds 45-55km/hr (25-30 knots) and, increasing to damaging gale force winds, 75-85km/hr (40-45 knots). Mostly cloudy with occasional showers developing to rain, and possibly heavy at times. Very rough to high seas, possible flooding in low lying areas and a heavy damaging southeast swell.
Forecast for Ha’apai – expect damaging southeast gale force winds 75-85km/hr (40-45 knots). Mostly cloudy with occasional showers at times. Very rough to high seas. A heavy damaging east to southeast swell.
Forecast for Tongatapu and ‘Eua – East to southeast winds 45-55km/hr (25-30 knots). Mostly cloudy with scattered showers at times. Very rough seas to high seas. A heavy damaging east to southeast swell.
Forecast for Niuafo’ou – West to southwest winds 45-55km/hr (25-30 knots). Increasing to damaging gale force winds 75-85km/hr (40-45 knots) in the next 9-12hrs. Mostly cloudy with occasional showers at times. Very rough to high seas. A heavy damaging east to southeast swell.
Meanwhile, the forecast from Fiji Met shows TC Winston moving across Fiji during the weekend, as a dangerous Cat. 4 storm.
