Tropical Cyclone Ana has weakened into a Category 1 storm as it moves into southern Tongan waters today.
The Fua’amotu Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre, at 5pm Monday, said a gale warning remains in force for Ha’apai, Tongatapu and ‘Eua land areas and coastal waters.
A heavy damaging swell, heavy rain warning and flash flooding advisory remains in force for all Tonga land areas and coastal waters.
A strong wind warning remains in force for the Niuas and Vava’u land areas and coastal waters.
Tropical Cyclone Ana (Category 1) was located at latitude 22.0 South and longitude 179.6 East or about 550KM West of Nuku'alofa, 565km West of 'Eua, 675km West Southwest of Pangai Ha'apai, 765KM West Southwest of Neiafu Vava'u, 875KM Southwest of Niuafo'ou, 970KM Southwest of Niuatoputapu at 4:00pm this afternoon.
TC Ana is moving South Southeast at about 12 knots (24km/hr).
The maximum winds near its center is about 45 knots (90km/hr) with momentary gust of up to 60 knots (120km/hr).
Monday night
On its current track, it could bring destructive storm force winds to Tele-ki-Tonga and Tele-ki-Tokelau and damaging gale force winds over Ha'apai, Tongatapu and 'Eua about early tomorrow morning .
Associated strong winds, cloudy conditions with periods of heavy rain and thunderstorm continues to affect Tonga.
For Tele-Ki-Tonga and Tele-Ki-Tokelau Coastal Waters:
East to Southeast winds 25-35 knots (50-70 km/hr) rising up to 45knots (90km/hr) at times with a momentary gust up to storm force wind 50-60 knots (100-120km/hr). Very rough to high seas (up to 6-9 meters).
A heavy damaging Northwesterly swell (up to 4-6 meters).
For Ha’apai, Tongatapu and ‘Eua:
North to Northeast winds 15-20 knots (30-40 km/hr) with momentary gust up to 35-40 knots (70-80km/hr) by early tomorrow morning. Cloudy and overcast with occasional rain, heavy at times that will cause flash flood in low lying areas.
Moderate to rough seas (up to 3-4 meters) then become very rough by tonight (up to 4-6 meters).
A heavy damaging Northwesterly swell (up to 4 meters). Poor visibility in areas of heavy rain.
For the Niuas and Vava’u:
North to Northeast winds 15-20 knots (30-40 km/hr), rising up to 25-30 knots (50 - 60km/hr) at times.
Cloudy and overcast at times with developing occasional rain, heavy at times that will cause flash flood in low lying areas, with moderate to rough seas (up to 3-4 meters).
A heavy damaging Northwesterly swell (up to 4 meters). Poor visibility in areas of heavy rain.
