A heavy rain and flash flooding warning has been issued by Tonga’s Meteorology Department for Tongatapu, ‘Eua, Vava’u and Ha’apai at 1:00pm today. Residents in low-lying areas are warned to be alert for possible flash flooding over the next 24-48 hours.

The forecast to midnight tomorrow is mostly cloudy and overcast with the occasional rain, heavy at times and possible isolated thunderstorms.

In the Niua’s however, the outlook is mainly fine apart from cloudy periods with possible scattered showers.

On Wednesday, the forecast for Tongatapu, ‘Eua and Ha’apai is cloudy periods with possible scattered showers. The Niua’s and Vava’u will be cloudy with occasional showers.

No warnings are in place for all Tonga coastal waters.

For Telekitonga and Telekitokelau, there are southeast winds of 15-20 knots rising to 25 knots at times, with moderate to rough seas and a moderate east to southeast swell.

Throughout the rest of Tonga, seas are forecast to be moderate with a moderate southeast swell.

Around Tongatapu and ‘Eua, east to southeast winds are expected of 10-15 knots rising up to 20 knots at times.

For the Niua’s, Vava’u and Ha’apai, west to northwest winds of 10-15 knots rising up to 20 knots at times are also forecast.