Gale warnings are now in force for Tongatapu and 'Eua and for Tele-ki-Tonga and Tele-ki-Tokelau coastal waters with heavy rain warnings for all groups, as Tropical Cyclone Sarai moves closer to Tonga today.
The Fua'amotu Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre at 8:00am Sunday 29 December 2019, warned that TC Sarai remained a Category 2 system that will pass over Tonga in the next few days.
Its position at 4:00am this morning was around 185km South of Suva, Fiji and about 650-950km West from Tonga.
The system is expected to continue to move East Northeast in the next 12-24 hours within the vicinity of the southern waters of the Fiji Islands.
TC Sarai is now moving east Northeast at a speed of 4 knots (8km/hour). The maximum wind near its centre is about 60 knots (120 km/hour) with momentary gusts of up to 70 knots (140km/hour).
Warnings:
- A gale warning is now in force for Tongatapu and 'Eua land areas and coastal waters and for Tele-ki-Tonga and Tele-ki-Tokelau coastal waters.
- A heavy rain warning and flash flood advisory remains in force for all of Tonga land areas.
- A strong wind warning remains in force for Vava'u, Ha'apai and the Niuas land areas and coastal waters.
- A small craft advisory remains in force for all of Tonga coastal waters.
Tonga Met Forecasts:
For Tongatapu, 'Eua, A-ki-Tonga and Tele-ki-Tokelau
- Moderate to fresh East to Northeast winds 15-20 knots (30-40km/hr), rising up to strong to gale force winds of 35-45 knots (70-90km/hr) starting from tonight and tomorrow.
- Mostly cloudy and overcast with occasional rain, heavy at times with possible isolated thunderstorms.
- Rough to very rough seas (up to 4 meters). A moderate to heavy easterly swell (3 to 4 meters).
- Mariners of small fishing boats are hereby advised not to go out to the sea.
- Poor visibility in areas of heavy rain and thunderstorms.
For Ha'apai, Vava'u and the Niuas:
- Moderate to fresh east to North-east winds 15-20 knots (30-40km/hr),
- rising up to strong winds at times 25-30 knots (50-60km/hr).
- Mostly cloudy and overcast with occasional rain, heavy at times with isolated thunderstorms.
- Moderate to rough seas (up to 3 meters). A moderate to heavy easterly swell (3 to 4 meters).
- Mariners of small fishing boats are hereby advised not to go out to the sea.
Poor visibility in areas of heavy rain and thunderstorms.
Tide prediction
High tide: 10:00am (this morning)
Low tide: 03:55pm (this afternoon)
The mean sea level pressure recorded at Fua'amotu Airport at 8:00am was 1009.3 millibars and the relative humidity was 94%.
This next tropical cyclone warning on Tropical Cyclone Sarai for Tonga will be issued about midday today at www.met.gov.to
