A gale warning, heavy rain warning, and flash flood advisory currently remains in force for all of Tonga land areas today, as a low pressure system moves across Tonga. Significant rainfall and strong to damaging gale-force winds were experienced between 9:00am on Sunday, 11 May, to 7:00am this morning, Tonga Meteorological Services reported. For Tongatapu and 'Eua, gales, thunderstorms and heavy rain are expected tonight.

On Sunday, the highest rainfall was recorded in Vava’u at Koloa, with 142.8mm recorded at 10:30pm.

In Tongatapu, Lapaha experienced the highest rainfall with 118mm at 11:40 pm.

Niuatoputapu saw its highest rainfall at 52.5mm at 9:10 am, on Sunday.

In Nomuka Ha'apai, the highest rainfall was at 32mm recorded at 11:20 pm. Strong gales of 42 knots was also recorded in Ha'apai.

For ‘Eua, Kaufana recorded the highest rainfall of 107mm at 3:10 am this morning. (See table at end of article).

Warning

A low pressure system lies over Tonga today, 12 May, and it is expected to move eastwards and away from our area by tomorrow evening. Meanwhile, associated clouds with heavy occasional rain, thunderstorms, and strong to damaging gusty winds will continue to affect Tonga today, and tomorrow, 13 May.

Forecast to midnight tomorrow for Tonga

For the Niuas, Vava'u and Ha'apai, a moderate to fresh north to northwest winds, becoming strong to damaging gale force winds at times, then tending south to southwesterly by tomorrow noon. Cloudy with occasional showers, can become heavy at times over Vava'u and the Niuas. Meanwhile, rain is expected to ease by tomorrow morning.

For Tongatapu and 'Eua, a light to moderate north to northwest winds, variable at times, then becoming fresh up to damaging gale force south to southeasterly winds by this evening and tomorrow. Cloudy with heavy occasional showers for this afternoon and possible thunderstorms, then ease by tomorrow.

Due to heavy rain, there will be possible flooding in low lying areas.

Temperature forecast for Nuku'alofa

Maximum for today: 27c
Minimum for tonight: 22c

Marine weather bulletin: warnings for coastal waters

A gale warning, heavy damaging swell, and small craft advisory remains in force for all of Tonga coastal waters.

Forecast to midnight tomorrow for Tonga coastal waters

For the Niuas, Vava'u and Ha'apai coastal waters, a northwesterly winds 20-30 knots, gusting up to damaging gale force winds 30-40 knots at times, then tending south to southwesterly by tomorrow noon.

Rough to very rough seas (up to 4-5 metres) and a heavy damaging northwesterly swell (up to 4 metres).

For Tongatapu and 'Eua coastal waters, a north to northwesterly winds 10-15 knots, then tending south to southeasterly by this evening and tomorrow, of up to 30-40 knots. rough to very rough seas (up to 4-5 metres) and a heavy damaging southeasterly swell (up to 4 metres).

There is poor visibility in the areas experiencing heavy rain.

For Tele-ki-Tonga and Tele-ki-Tokelau coastal waters, a southeasterly winds 25-30 knots, gusting up to damaging gale force winds 35-45 knots at times. Rough to very rough seas (up to 4-6 metres) and a heavy damaging southeasterly swell (up to 4 metres).

Tide prediction in Nuku'alofa today

Low tide: 1:40pm
High tide: 7:50pm

Sun and moon in Nuku'alofa today

Sunset: 6:11pm
Moonrise: 5:35pm

The mean sea level pressure recorded at Fua'amotu airport at 1:00pm was 1002.1 millibars and the relative humidity was 99%.