A Tropical Disturbance, in northern Tonga will bring heavy rain, and strong to gale force winds to the Niuas today and tonight, Tonga Meteorological Services advised this morning.
“The potential for this system to develop into a Tropical Cyclone in the next 24 hours is low,” said the advisory issued at 7:00am on Tuesday 7 January.
TD03F was located near about 151Km northwest of Vava’u or 235Km southwest of Niatoputapu at 6:00am this morning (near latitude 17.7 south and longitude 175.0 west).
Tonga Met forecasts that the system will move away from Tonga by noon tomorrow, Wednesday.
Meanwhile, a gale warning remains in force for Niuatoputapu and NIuafo’ou land areas and coastal waters.
- A Heavy damaging swell warning is in force for Niuatoputapu and NIuafo’ou coastal waters
- A heavy rain warning and flash flood advisory remains in force for the Niuas, Vava’u and Ha’apai land areas.
- A strong wind warning remains in force for Vava’u coastal waters.
Forecast to midnight tonight (7 January) for Tonga:
For the Niuas:
- Fresh to strong west to northwest winds, gusts up to gale force winds.
- Mostly cloudy and overcast with occasional rain, heavy at times with isolated thunderstorms.
- Possible flooding in low lying areas due to heavy rain.
For Vava’u and Ha’apai:
- Light east to northeast winds, variable at times and becoming moderate southeast winds in the afternoon.
- Mostly cloudy and overcast with occasional rain, heavy at times with isolated thunderstorms.
- Possible flooding in low lying areas due to heavy rain.
For Tongatapu and ‘Eua:
- Light to moderate east to southeast winds, fresh at times tonight.
- Mostly cloudy with occasional showers, possible heavy at times.
The mean sea level pressure recorded at Fua’amotu Airport at 6:00am was 1006.3 milllibars and the relative humidity was 96%.
The temperature forecast for Nuku'alofa:
- Maximum for today 30C
- Minimum for tonight 23C
