Strong wind warnings are currently in place for all land and sea areas of Vava’u and the Niuas as Tropical Cyclone Amos slowly intensifies tracks towards the Niuas and Samoa today, warns the Tonga Meteorology Department. 

The cyclone has reached Category 2 while moving southeast today and has the potential to develop into a Category 3 storm over the next few days.

Heavy damaging swell warnings are also in force for Ha’apai, Vava’u and the Niuas.

This morning, TC Amos was moving at about 4 knots (7km/hr) with average winds near the center at 50 knots (95km/hr) with momentary gusts up to 70 knots (130km/hr) at times.

TC Amos is expected to lie about 300km north of Niuafo’ou or about 385km north northwest of Niuatoputapu around 1:00pm tomorrow.

Strong winds are predicted for Niuafo’ou early tomorrow morning and damaging gale force winds are predicted for Niuatoputapu and possibly Vava’u from late Saturday to Sunday.

Residents on the Niua Islands and Vava’u are urged to keep an eye on the latest weather warnings as the cyclone intensifies today.

The Meteorology Department will continue to monitor the progress of the cyclone and issue updates throughout the day.