Forecast wind map issued by Tonga Meteorological Services at 4:00pm Saturday 19 Dec. 2020.
A gale warning remains in force for Tongatapu and 'Eua land areas this evening, as Severe Tropical Cyclone Yasa, now a weakening Cat. 1 system, is expected to lie at about 335km West of Nuku'alofa at 7:00pm today. Previous hurricane and storm warnings for Tonga have been downgraded by the Tonga Meteorological Service.
At 4:00pm Saturday 19 December, (Advisory no. 16 on TC Yasa issued from the Fua'amotu Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre):
- A gale warning remains in force for Tele-ki-Tonga , Tele-ki-Tokelau, Tongatapu and 'Eua land and coastal waters.
- A strong wind warning remains in force for the Niuas, Vava'u Na Ha'apai land areas and coastal waters.
- A heavy rain warning and flash flood advisory remains in force for Tongatapu and 'Eua areas.
- A heavy damaging swell warning remains in force for all of Tonga coastal waters
Severe Tropical Cyclone Yasa, has been downgraded to a Category 1 system, and was located about 270km West of Nuku’alofa at 2:00pm today. The system is moving Southeast about 10 knots (20km/hr).
The sustained maximum winds near the centre are about 45 knots (90km/hr) with momentary gusts up to 65 knots (130km/hr).
On its current track, TC Yasa is expected to lie at about 335km northwest of Nuku’alofa at 7:00pm today.
Associated strong and gale force winds, cloudy conditions and periods of heavy rain and thunderstorms with very rough to high seas will affect whole of the group today.
FOR TONGATAPU AND 'EUA:
East to Northeast winds 15-20 knots (30-40km/hrs) rising up to strong winds of 25-30 knots (50-60km/hrs) with momentary gusts up to gale force winds 35-45 knots (70-90km/hrs). Mostly cloudy and overcast with periods of occasional rain, heavy at times. Rough to very rough seas (up to 6-8 metres). A heavy damaging Northwesterly swell (up to 4-9 metres).
FOR VAVA'U AND HA'APAI:
East to Northeast winds 15-20 knots (30-40km/hrs) with momentary gust up to strong force winds 25-30 knots (50-60km/hrs) at times.
Mostly cloudy with occasional showers. Rough to very rough seas (up to 6 metres). A heavy damaging Northwesterly swell (up to 4-8 metres).
FOR THE NIUAS:
North to Northwest winds 10-15 knots (20-30km/hrs) with momentary gust up to strong force winds 20-30 knots (40-60km/hrs) at times. Mostly cloudy with occasional showers. Rough to very rough seas (up to 6 metres). A heavy damaging Northwesterly swell (up to 4-6 metres)
FOR TELE-KI-TONGA AND TELE-KI-TOKELAU COASTAL WATERS:
Southeasterly winds 20-25 knots (40-50km/hrs) then rising up to 30-35 knots (60-70km/hrs) with momentary gusts up to gale force winds 40-45 knots (80-90km/hrs). Very rough to high seas (up to 6-8 metres). A heavy damaging Northwesterly swell (up to 4-9 metres).
Low tide: 17:22pm Saturday
High tide: 11:25pm Saturday
The mean sea level pressure recorded at Fua'amotu Airport at 4:00pm today was 1003.8 millibars, and the relative humidity was 97%.
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