A low pressure system, at the end of Tropical Cyclone Rae, moved out of southern Tongan waters last night, and no longer poses a threat to Tonga.
The Fua’amotu Tropical Cyclone Center was de-activated at 10:00 am this morning, 26 February, by the Tonga Meteorological Services.
Tropical Low-Pressure System (ex-Tropical Cyclone ‘Rae’), was located near latitude 26.2 South, Longitude 175.8 West or 430km South of ‘Ata Island, or 550km South of ‘Eua and 575km South of Nuku’alofa at 9:00 am this morning.
"The system is moving southeast at a speed of 15 knots further away from our Area of Responsibility," Tonga Met stated.
"The system and the associated damaging gale force winds (34-47 knots or 68-94km/hr.) has completely moved out of the Tele-ki-Tonga & Tele-ki-Tokelau waters...."
Warnings for land areas and coastal waters:
Coastal waters:
- The gale warning previously in forced for Tele-ki-Tonga and Tele-ki-Tokelau coastal waters has been downgraded into strong wind warning.
- A strong wind warning previously in forced for Tongatapu and 'Eua coastal waters are now cancelled.
- A heavy damaging swell remain in forced for Tele-ki-Tonga and Tele-ki-Tokelau coastal waters.
- The small craft advisory previously in forced for tongatapu and 'eua coastal waters are now cancelled but still remain in forced for Tele-ki-Tonga and Tele-ki-Tokelau coastal waters.
Situation
Associated clouds, occasional rain and strong winds will affect the southern waters of Tele-ki-Tonga and Tele-ki-Tokelau coastal waters today.
For Tele-ki-Tonga and Tele-ki-Tokelau:
- South to southwest winds 25-30 knots. Very rough seas (4 metres). A heavy damaging north to northwesterly swell (up to 3-4 metres) and it is expected to ease by this afternoon with southeasterly swell (up to 3 metres).
For Tongatapu and 'Eua:
- North to northwesterly wind 10-20. Mostly cloudy with occasional showers, can be heavy at times this evening. Moderate seas (up to 2.5 metres). A moderate northwesterly swell (up to 2.5 metres).
For Niuafo'ou, Niuatoputapu, Vava'u, and Ha'apai:
- North to northeast winds 10-15 knots over land areas, rising up to 20 knots at times. Mainly fine apart from cloudy periods with occasional showers for this evening, can be heavy at times. Moderate seas (up to 2 metres).
Tide prediction:
Low tide: 11:50AM
High tide: 6:05PM
The mean sea level pressure recorded at Fua'amotu airport at 10:00am was 1014.5 millibars and the relative humidity was 90%.
Tong Met stated that this will be the final Tropical Cyclone advisory on Ex-Tropical Cyclone "Rae."
