A Tropical Cyclone Alert remains in force for Tonga today, as Tropical Depression (TD 04F) in the Western Pacific, moving toward Fiji and Tonga, is expected to bring strong gale force winds to the Niuas starting tomorrow morning with storm force winds over southern Tonga during the weekend.

A Forecast track map shows that as the system moves closer to the Tonga Group, the onset of damaging strong winds and gales, and destructive storm force winds is expected to continue to affect the whole of Tonga, from the Niuas, Vava‘u, Ha‘apai and down to Tongatapu and ‘Eua on Saturday and Sunday.

Tonga Meteorological Services activated the Fua'amotu Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre yesterday to track the approaching storm.

• Warnings (issued at 6:00pm Thursday 16 January 2020:
• A Gale alert is now in force for the Niua land areas and coastal waters
• A heavy rain warning and flash flood advisory remains in force for the Niua land areas.
• A heavy damaging swell and small craft advisory remains in force for the Niua coastal waters

Situation:

Tropical Depression 04F was located near latitude 11.6 South, longitude 174.7 east or about, 1135km west Northwest of Niuafo'ou, 1335km west Northwest of Niuatoputapu, 1450km west Northwest of neiafu, Vava'u, 1485km Northwest of Pangai, Ha‘apai, 1515km Northwest of Nuku'alofa and 1555km Northwest of 'Eua at 04:00pm this afternoon.

On its current track, Tropical Depression 04F is moving east at the speed of 12 knots (24km/hr). The maximum winds near its centre are about 25-30 knots (50-60km/hr).

On its current track, TD04F is expected to lie at about 630km west Northwest of Niuafo'ou at 1:00pm tomorrow afternoon. Strong to gale force winds will affect the Niua starting tomorrow morning.

For the Niuas:
Light to moderate North to Northeasterly winds 10-15 knots (20-30km/hr), becoming strong by tomorrow morning 25-30knots (50-60km/hr) then gradually increasing to gale force winds 35-45 knots (70-90km/hr) by tomorrow night. Mostly cloudy and overcast with occasional rain, heavy at times with isolated thunderstorms. Possible flash flooding in low-lying areas due to heavy rain and heavy damaging swell. Rough to very rough seas (2 to 6 meters). A moderate to heavy damaging Northwesterly swell (2 to 4 meters). Mariners of small fishing boats for the Niua coastal waters are advised not to go out to sea. Poor visibility in area of heavy rain and thunderstorms.

For Ha‘apai and Vava'u:
Light to moderate East to Northeast winds 10-15 knots (20-30km/hr), rising up to 20-25 knots at times tomorrow afternoon (40-50km/hr). Cloudy periods with occasional showers.
Moderate to rough seas (up to 3 meters). A moderate easterly swell (up to 2 meters).

For Tongatapu, 'Eua, Tele-ki-Tonga and Tele-ki-tokelau:
Light to moderate East to Southeast winds 10-15 knots (20-30km/hr), rising up to 20 knots at times (40km/hr).
Cloudy periods with scattered showers.
Moderate seas (up to 2 meters). A moderate easterly swell (up to 2 meters).

Tide prediction

High tide 12:20am (midnight Thursday)
Low tide 06:35am (Friday morning

The mean sea level pressure recorded at Fua'amotu Airport at 06:00pm was 1002.7 millibars and the relative humidity was 81%.

The next Tropical Cyclone advisory on Tropical Depression (td) 04F for Tonga will be issued about 12:00am midnight tonight on the Tonga Met website: www.met.gov.to [2]