Special Weather Bulletin Number 15 for Tonga on Tropical Cyclone Wilma issued from National Weather Forecasting Centre Fua'amotu at 4.35 am Tuesday 25 January 2011.

A Tropical Cyclone Warning

A Hurricane Warning remains in force for the Vava'u and Ha'apai Groups.

A Gale Warning remains in force for Tongatapu, 'Eua and nearby small islands.

A Strong Wind Warning remains in force for the rest of Tonga.

Tropical Cyclone Wilma (Category 2) center was located near 16 decimal 9 south 171 decimal 5 west or about 320km northeast of Vava'u or about 430km northeast of Lifuka at 1:00am this morning.

Close to its centre the cyclone is estimated to have average winds up to 50 knots with momentary gust up to 70 knots possibly increasing to 65 knots gusting to 90 knots.

The cyclone is now moving south-southwest at about 8 knots. On this track the cyclone center is expected to lie near 30km south of Vava'u or about 80km north-northeast of Lifuka by around 1pm today.

For the Vava'u and Ha'apai groups:

Winds increasing to very destructive hurricane force from the southeast, turning northeast later with average speeds of 65-75 knots gusting to 110kts. Heavy rain and squally thunder-storms. Seas increasing to phenomenal with damaging heavy swell. Heavy rain. Flooding including sea flooding of low lying coastal areas expected.

For Tongatapu, 'Eua and nearby small islands:

Expect damaging gale force winds of 40kt gusting to 60kt from the east to southeast turning northeast later. Rain becoming frequent and heavy at times with squally thunderstorms and flooding including sea flooding of low lying areas expected.

For Niuafo'ou and Niuatoputapu:

Expect south to southwest winds 15/20kts turning west from later tonight with gust of up to 30kts. Mostly cloudy with some showers.

This information is provided for the mariners:

Winds increasing to hurricane force winds within 30 miles of centre with phenomenal seas. Expect storm within 50 miles or centre and expect gale force winds within 180 miles or centre with high to very high seas and damaging heavy swells.

Elsewhere, easterly winds 15 knots, increasing to 25 to 30 knots from tomorrow. Seas becoming very rough with heavy swells.

Tides

Low tide 05:30am
High Tide 11:50am

Mean sea level pressure recorded at Fua'amotu at 4:00am was 1004.2 milibars with 1000.30 milibars at Vava'u.

The next Special Weather Bulletin for Tonga on Tropical Cyclone Wilma will be issued around 08:00am this morning or thereabouts.