Severe Tropical Cyclone Rene moves toward Tonga [1]
Sunday, February 14, 2010 - 11:39. Updated on Sunday, May 25, 2014 - 22:10.
Special Weather Bulletin number eight for Tonga on severe tropical Cyclone Rene issued from NWFC Fua'amotu at 10:00am Sunday 14 February 2010
Tropical cyclone warning
A gale warning is now in force for the Vava'u group.
The gale warning previously in force for the Niuas is now cancelled.
A tropical cyclone alert remains in force for rest of Tonga.
Severe tropical Cyclone Rene centre was located near 15.9s 170.2w or about 380km east of Niuatoputapu or about 500km northeast of Vava'u at 7:00am this morning. The cyclone is intensifying and moving
South-southwest at 10 knots. Close to its centre, the cyclone is estimated to have average sustained winds of 80 knots with momentary gusts to 110 knots increasing to 90 knots with momentary gusts to 130 knots in the next 24 hours.
On this forecast track the cyclone centre is expected to lie about 250km east-northeast of Vava'u or about 520km northeast of Nuku'alofa at 1:00am tomorrow morning.
Destructive winds will begin a few hours before the cyclone centre moves overhead or nearby.
For the Vava'u Group:
South to southeast winds increasing to damaging gale force with average speeds of 45knots with momentary gusts to 65 knots from early tomorrow morning. Frequent heavy rain and squally thunderstorms. High seas. Damaging heavy swells. Flooding including sea flooding of low-lying coastal areas.
For Ha'apai, Tongatapu and 'Eua:
Expect strong south to southeast winds 25 to 30 knots with gusts to 45 knots possibly increasing to damaging gale force or stronger in the 24 to 36 hours. Cloud and rain increasing and becoming frequent and heavy with squally thundesttorms in the next 24 to 36 hours. Seas becoming very rough to high. Damaging heavy swells. Flooding including sea flooding of low-lying coastal areas expected.
For the Niuatoputapu, Niuafo'ou and Tafahi:
Expect west to southwest winds 20 to 25 knots with gusts 35 knots. Periods of rain heavy at times and squally thunderstorms. Very rough to high seas. Heavy swells. Flooding including sea flooding of low-lying coastal areas possible.
Mariners
This information is provided especially for mariners:
Expect strong southeast winds 25 to 30 knots with gusts to 45 knots,increasing to gale or stronger in the next 12 to 24 hours. Very rough to high.damaging heavy swells.
Tides
Low tide01:54pm
High tide08:00pm
The mean sea level pressure recorded at Fua'amotu at 10:00am was 1008.0mb.
The next special weather bulletin for Tonga with be issued around 1:00pm this afternoon, 14 February 2010.
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