Warnings of heavy rain, flash flooding, and strong to gale force winds for all of Tonga tonight, have been issued by Tonga Met as a tropical depression located around 465km west, northwest of Nuku’alofa is moving slowly toward Tonga.

Tonga Meteorological Department's latest weather bulletin issued at 2:00pm advised residents in all low-lying areas of Tonga  to prepare for possible flash flooding over the next 24 hours.

Strong to gale force winds

Gale force wind warnings are in place tonight for Vava’u and Ha’apai, Niuafo’ou and Niuatoputapu as moderate to fresh north to northwest winds become strong to gale force winds by tonight.

For Tongatapu and ‘Eua, a strong wind warning is in place with moderate to fresh east to northeast winds becoming strong and gusty north to northwest winds.

Outlook for Friday and Saturday

The outlook for tomorrow for all of Tonga is mostly cloudy and overcast with occasional rain, heavy at times and possible isolated thunderstorms.

The forecast for Saturday is strong and gusty winds, mostly cloudy and overcast with occasional rain, heavy at times with isolated thunderstorms.

Marine weather warning

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

A gale warning is also in force for the coastal waters of Vava’u, Ha’apai and the Niuas.  North to northwest winds of 15-20 knots will increase to 30-35 knots with momentary gusts up to 45 knots.

There is also a strong wind warning for Tele-ki-Tonga, Tele-ki-Tokelau, Tongatapu and ‘Eua.

East to northeast winds at 10-15 knots will become stronger as it transitions north to northwest at 25-30 knots with momentary gusts up to 35 knots tonight and tomorrow.

Saturday marine outlook

Strong winds at 25–30 knots rising to 35-45 knots at times are forecast for all Tonga coastal waters on Saturday with rough to very rough seas and a heavy damaging northwest swell.