A tropical depression located to the north of Tonga is likely to develop into a tropical cyclone in the next 24 to 36 hours, lying to the west of Niuafo'ou bringing damaging gale force winds, the Tonga Meteorological Office forecasted at 6:00 pm today, Friday April 3.

Special Weather Bulletin Number Two for Tonga issued from Fua'amotu at 6:00pm Friday 03 April 2009.

A tropical cyclone alert remains in force for Tonga.

Tropical depression 14f centre was re-located near 15 decimal 0 south 179 decimal 2 east or about 540km west northwest of Niuafo'ou at 5:00pm this afternoon.

Tropical depression 14f is likely to develop into a tropical cyclone in the next 24 to 36 hours. The system is currently slow moving but is expected to start moving southeast in the next 12 to 24 hours. On its forecast track, 14f is expected to lie to the west of Niuafo'ou in the next 24 to 36 hours. Winds may increase to damaging gale force winds over the Niuas in the next 24 to 36 hours.

For Niuafo'ou, Niuatoputapu and Tafahi:

expect northwest winds 20 to 25 knots with gusts to 35 knots. Winds possibly increasing to damaging gale force winds in the next 24 to 36 hours. Periods of rain, heavy at times with squally thunderstorms. Flooding including sea flooding of low-lying coastal areas possible.

For the Vava'u group:

Expect southeast winds 20 to 25 knots over open waters, fresh and gusty over land. Winds turning north to northeast and possibly increasing to

damaging gale force winds in the next 48 hours. Occasional rain, heavy at times with squally thunderstorms.

For the rest of Tonga:

Expect southeast winds 20 to 25 knots over open waters, fresh and gusty over land. Cloudy periods with some showers.

Mariners

The following information is provided especially for the mariners:

A strong wind warning remains in force for all Tonga waters.

For the Niua waters:

Expect northwest winds 20 to 25 knots with gusts to 40 knots possibly increasing to 35 kots gusting 55 knots in the next 24 to 36 hours. Very rough seas. A moderate northwest swell.

For the Vavau waters:

Southeast winds 20 to 25 knots gusting to 35 knots, possibly increasing to 35 knots gusting 55 knots in the next 24 to 36 hours. Rough to very rough seas. Moderate southeast swell.

For the rest of Tonga waters:

Southeast winds 20 to 25 knots gusting to 35 knots. Rough seas. Moderate southeasterly swells.

Poor visibility in heavy rain and squally thunderstorms.

The next special weather bulletin for Tonga will be issued around midnight tonight.

Tonga Met [2].

See also:

Satellite Images & Weather Maps [3]