A Tropical Cyclone warning is in force for Tonga today as Tropical Depression 03F moves towards Vava'u, Tonga Meteorological Services advised this morning. The system is bringing unsettled weather to most of Tonga. The storm coincides with the highest tides of the month.
At 9:00am today, the system was located 105km north of Neiafu, Vava’u and 195km south of Niuatoputapu. The forecast track map issued by Tonga Met shows TD03F strengthening into a Cat. 1 storm for Vava'u and Ha'apai today.
This system is moving west southwest at about 12 knots (20km/hr). TD03F is expected to move south-westwards towards the Vava'u group throughout today.
Associated strong to gale force winds, cloudy conditions and periods of heavy rain and thunderstorms will affect the whole of the group today. Tonga Met issued the following warnings:
Vava'u:
- a storm force wind is now in force for Vava'u land and coastal waters.
- a heavy rain warning and flash flood advisory remains in force.
- a heavy damaging swell warning remains in force.
Ha'apai, Tongatapu and 'Eua:
- a gale warning remains in force for Ha'apai, Tongatapu and 'Eua land and coastal waters.
- a heavy rain warning and flash flood advisory remains in force.
- a heavy damaging swell warning remains in force for coastal waters.
Niuas
- A strong wind warning remains inforce for the Niuas land areas and coastal waters , Tele-ki-Tonga and Tele-ki-Tokelau coastal waters.
- A heavy rain warning and flash flood advisory remains in force.
- A small craft advisory remains inforce for all of Tonga coastal waters.
An extreme high tide advisory remains inforce for all of Tonga coastal waters. The high tide this evening at 18:59pm is the highest of the month at 1.85m.
See detailed wind forecast for Tonga below:
For Vava'u:
Strong to Gale East to Northeast winds 30-35knots (60-70km/hr), with momentary gusts of up to storm force winds 50-55 knots (100-120 km/hr). Cloudy and overcast with heavy occasional rain and thunderstorms.
Very rough to high seas (up to 6 metres). A heavy damaging Easterly swell (up to 4 metres).
For Ha'apai:
Fresh to Strong East to Southeast winds 20-30knots(40-60km/hr), with momentary gusts of up to gale force winds 34-47 knots (68-94 km/hr). Cloudy and overcast with heavy occasional rain and thunderstorms.
Rough to very rough seas (up to 4 metres). A heavy damaging Easterly swell (up to 4 metres).
For Tongatapu and ‘Eua:
Fresh to strong East to Southeast winds 20-30knots (40-60km/hr), with momentary gusts of up to gale force winds 34-47 knots (68-94 km/hr) by mid-day. Become cloudy by noon with occasional showers, heavy at times.
Rough to very rough seas (up to 4 metres). A heavy damaging Easterly swell (up to 4 metres).
For The Niuas:
Moderate to Fresh West to Northwest winds 15-25 knots (30-50km/hr). Becoming strong at times up to 30 knots (60km/hr).
Cloudy with heavy occasional rain especially Niuatoputapu and thunderstorms for Niuafo'ou later this afternoon.
Moderate to rough seas (up to 3 meters). A moderate Southeasterly Swell (up to 3 metres).
For Tele-ki-Tonga and Tele-ki-Tokelau coastal waters:
East to Southeasterly winds 15-25 knots (30-50km/hr), rising up to 30-35 knots (60-70km/hr) at times by morning.
Rough seas (up to 3.5 metres). A moderate Easterly swell (up to 3 metres).
The next tropical cyclone advisory on TD03F will be issued at 1:00pm by Tonga Met.
Region
TD03F is one of two active systems in the region. Tropical Cylone Yasi is active to the west of Fiji today, moving SW at about 2 knots.
