A Tropical Cyclone Warning is now in force for Vava‘u, Ha‘apai, Tongatapu and 'Eua. The warning was issued by the Fua'amotu Tropical cyclone Warning Centre at 6:00am Saturday March 1, 2014, as Tropical Depression 15F approaches Tonga and is forecast to become a Tropical cyclone this afternoon.
Fiji
The RSMC Nadi Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre is forecasting that the depression will become a Category 1 Tropical Cyclone by midday today, and intensify to a Category 2 Tropical Cyclone by midday Sunday in southern Tonga. Tropical Cyclone Forecast Track Map
Tropical Cyclone Advisory Number Four for Tonga on Tropical Depression 15F issued from Tonga's Fua'amotu Tropical cyclone Warning Centre at 9:00am Saturday March 1, 2014:
A Tropical Cyclone Warning remains in force for Vava‘u, Ha‘apai, Tongatapu and 'Eua.
A gale warning remains in force for the group.
A heavy rain advisory remains in force for all land areas.
An extreme high tide advisory remains in force for Tonga waters.
A heavy damaging swells advisory remains in force for Tonga waters.
A tropical depression TD15F centre was located near 17 decimal 8 South, 178 decimal 8 west or 450km west-northwest of Tofua or 520km west of Vava‘u at 7:00am this morning.
The system is moving south-southeast at 10 knots and is intensifying and could possibly become a tropical cyclone in the next 6 to 12 hours.
Damaging gale force winds with average speeds of 35 knots with momentary gusts to 50 knots within 350km away from centre in northeast quadrant.
On its current track and if the depression continues to intensify, the centre is expected to lie about 290km west-northwest of Nomuka or 265km northwest of Nuku'alofa at 7:00pm this evening..
For Vava‘u, Ha‘apai, Tongatapu and ‘Eua:
North to northeast winds 20-30 knots with momentary gusts up to 35-40 knots, possibly increasing to damaging winds in the next 10-18 hours.
Overcast with occasional rain, heavy at times with squally thunderstorms.
Flash flooding including sea flooding in the low-lying areas of Tonga.
Rough to very rough seas. North to northeast damaging swell.
For Niua:
North to northwest winds 20-25 knots rising up to 35 knots.
Overcast with periods of rain, heavy at times with squally thunderstorms.
Rough to very rough seas.
Tide predictions:
Low tide 1:15pm
High tide 7:30pm
Mean sea level pressure recorded at Lupepau‘u Airport at 9:00am was 1003.1mb.
