Tropical Cyclone Cliff moving away from Fiji toward the south of Tonga is expected to bring damaging gale force winds to Tongatapu and nearby small islands tonight.

A Tropical Cyclone Alert has been issued by the Tonga Meteorological Office for Tongatapu, 'Eua, and Nomuka; while a strong wind warning remains in force for Vava'u tonight.

According to the 5:00 pm bulletin issued by the RSMC at Nadi, Tropical Cyclone Cliff's centre was located 125 miles west-northwest of Nuku'alofa or 140 miles west of Ha'apai at 4:00 pm today, April 5.

Close to its centre the cyclone is expected to have average winds of up to 50 knots increasing to 60 knots in the next 6 to 12 hours with momentary gusts of 85 knots.

The cyclone is moving to the southeast at 14 knots and on this track is expected to lie about 80 miles west-southwest of Nuku'alofa at 4:00 am tomorrow.

The Tongatapu group, 'Eua and nearby smaller islands can expect damaging gale force winds with average speeds of 30 to 35 knots and momentary gusts of 50 knots developing this evening. Heavy rain may become frequent with squally thunderstorms, sea flooding of low lying coastal areas and very rough to high seas with damaging heavy swells.

Mariners can expect gale force winds within 60 miles of the cyclone's centre with high seas, and very rough seas with high seas over southern Tonga tonight.