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Tropical Cyclone Neil to pass over Tonga tonight, Saturday

Nuku'alofa, Tonga

Tropical Cyclone Neil (Cat.1) is expected to pass directly over Tonga tonight, bringing heavy rain and wind gusts up to  55 knots (101km/hr) in Ha'apai and Tongatapu. The Fua'amotu Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre at 8:00pm tonight, Saturday, February 9, stated that a heavy rain warning and flash flood advisory is now in force for all of Tonga.

Warnings for land areas and coastal waters:

A storm warning is now in force for all of Tonga land areas and coastal waters.

A heavy rain warning and flash flood advisory is now in force for all of Tonga.

A heavy damaging swell warning remains in force for all of Tonga coastal waters.

Situation:

Tropical Cyclone Neil Category 1 (previously TD07F) was located near latitude 17.6 South, 175.2 west or 175km northwest of Vava'u or 260km North northwest of Ha'apai at 07:00pm this evening. This system is moving southeast at the speed of 18 knots (35km/hr). The maximum 10 minutes average winds near the center is about 35-40 knots (64-75 km/hr) with momentary gusts up to 55 knots (101km/hr). On its current track Tropical Cyclone Neil's center is expected to lie nearest to Vava'u at about 80km west at 1:00am tomorrow morning and crossing over Ha'apai at 4:00am tomorrow morning. Associated clouds, heavy rain, gale to storm force winds is expected to affect the group.,  

For the Niuas:
North to northwest winds 25-35 knots (37-64km/hr), with momentary gusts of up to 55 knots (101km/hr) at times tonight. Mostly cloudy and overcast with occasional rain, heavy falls with isolated thunderstorms. Rough to very rough seas. A heavy damaging northwesterly swell.
Possible flash floods and sea flooding in low lying areas.

For Ha'apai and Vava'u:
North to northwest winds 20-30 knots (37-55km/hr), gradually increasing to 35-40 knots (64-75km/hr) with momentary gusts of up to 55 knots (101km/hr) starting tonight. Mostly cloudy and overcast with occasional rain, heavy falls with isolated thunderstorms. Rough to very rough seas. A heavy damaging northwesterly swell. possible flash floods and sea flooding in low lying areas.

For Tongatapu and 'Eua:
North to northwest winds 15-20 knots (27-37 km/hr), gradually increasing to 35-40 knots (64-75km/hr) with momentary gusts of up to 55 knots (101km/hr) by early tomorrow morning.
Cloudy periods with occasional rain, developing for tomorrow morning, heavy at times. rough to very rough seas. A heavy damaging northwesterly swell.
Possible flash floods and sea flooding in low lying areas.

Tide prediction:

High tide: 10:50pm
Low tide: 05:00am Sunday morning,  

The mean sea level pressure recorded at Fua'amotu Airport at 08:00pm was 1003.8 millibars and the relative humidity was 94%. The next tropical cyclone advisory for tonga will be issued at about 11:00pm tonight.