Hurricane warning for Vava'u tonight [1]
Saturday, January 2, 2016 - 02:34. Updated on Saturday, January 2, 2016 - 02:44.
Tropical Cyclone Ula is expected to lie 40km north of Vava'u at 7:00am this morning, hitting the group with wind gusts that could reach 200km per hour, Tonga's Fua'amotu Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre advised at 2:00am this morning. The track of the severe tropical cyclone has moved closer to Vava'u.
Tonga Met also advised that destructive winds will increase for Ha’apai, Tongatapu and ‘Eua, forecasting an average speed of 80-90km/hr with momentary gusts up to 120km/hr in the next 10-24 hours.
They warn that Severe Tropical Cyclone Ula has the potential to cause major property damage, significant infrastructure and crop damage, local power failure and there is a high risk of injuries from a Category 3 cyclone.
Tropical Cyclone advisory number ten for Tonga on Tropical Cyclone Ula issued from the Fua'amotu Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre at 02:00am Saturday 2 January 2016.
Tropical Cyclone Warning
A Tropical Cyclone Warning remains in force for Vava’u, Ha’apai, Tongatapu and ‘Eua but is now cancelled for Niuatoputapu.
A hurricane warning remains in force for Vava’u.
A storm warning remains in force for Ha’apai, Tongatapu and 'Eua.
A strong wind warning is in force for Niuatoputapu and Niuafo'ou.
A heavy damaging swells remains in force for Niuatoputapu, Vava’u, Ha’apai, Tongatapu and ‘Eua waters.
A heavy rain warning remains in force for all Tonga.
Situation:
Severe Tropical Cyclone Ula (category 3) was located 17 decimal 9 south, 172 decimal 8 west or 150km northeast of Vava’u or 270km northeast of Lifuka at 01:00am this morning. The Cyclone has estimated winds of 150km/hr near its centre.
The Cyclone is currently moving west-southwest at a speed of 20km/hr. On its current track Severe Tropical Cyclone Ula is expected to lie 40km north of Vava’u or 170km north-northeast of Lifuka around 07:00am this morning.
For Vava’u:
East to southeast winds gradually increasing to very destructive winds of 120-150km/hr with momentary gusts up to 200km/hr.
Overcast with frequent heavy rain with squally thunderstorms.expect possible flash flooding including seas flooding in low lying areas. Very high to phenomenal seas. A heavy damaging swell developing tonight.
For Ha’apai, Tongatapu and ‘Eua:
East to southeast winds gradually increasing to destructive winds with average speed of 80-90km/hr with momentary gusts up to 120km/hr in the next 10-24 hours. Mostly cloudy with scattered showers becoming overcast with frequent heavy rain with squally thunderstorms. High to very high seas. A heavy damaging swell developing tonight.
For Niuafo’ou and Niuatoputapu:
East to southeast winds 45-55km/hr.
Mostly cloudy with scattered showers possible, heavy at times.
Rough to very rough seas.a moderate to heavy east to southeast swell.
Tide predictions:
High tide: 01:00am
Low tide: 07:15am
The mean sea level pressure recorded at lupepau'u airport (Vava’u) at 02:00am was 995.0 millibars.
The next Tropical Cyclone Advisory for Tonga will be issued about 05:00am this morning.