Cyclone Wilma bringing gales to north of Tonga today [1]
Monday, January 24, 2011 - 02:00. Updated on Monday, September 9, 2013 - 18:40.
Special Weather Bulletin Number Seven for Tonga on Tropical Cyclone Wilma issued from National Weather Forecasting Centre Fua'amotu at 1:00am Monday 24 January 2011.
A tropical cyclone alert.
A tropical cyclone alert remains in force for Niuafo'ou, Niuatoputapu, Vava'u and Ha'apai groups.
A strong wind warning remains in force for the rest of Tonga.
Tropical Cyclone Wilma (category 1) center was located near 12 decimal 4 south 170 decimal 7 west or about 210km northeast of Apia or about 520km northeast of Niuatoputapu or about 775km north northeast of Vava'u at 10:00pm this evening.
Close to its centre the cyclone is expected to have average winds up to 40 knots with momentary gust up to 55 knots. The cyclone is moving southwest at 10kts.on this forecast track the cyclone is expected to bring damaging gale force winds over Niuafo'ou, Niuatoputapu, Vava'u and Ha'apai within the next 24-36hrs
For Niuafo'ou, Niuatoputapu and Tafahi.
East to southeast winds 20 to 25 knots gradually turning west with winds increasing to 30-40 knots by later tomorrow. Rain developing, becoming heavy at times with squally thunderstorms from tomorrow with flooding including sea flooding of low lying areas along the west coast of Niuatoputapu likely.
For the Vava'u and Ha'apai groups:
East winds 15/20kts turning southeast and increasing to 40 knots by tuesday. Rain developing, becoming heavy at times with squally thunderstorms from tomorrow with flooding including sea flooding of low lying areas.
For Tongatapu, 'Eua and nearby small islands:
Moderate easterly winds fresh and gusty at times turning northeast and up to 40kts by wednesday. Rain developing becoming heavy at times with squally thunderstorms and flooding including sea flooding of low lying areas expected from tuesday
This information is provided for the mariners:
For Niuafo'ou, Niuatoputapu and tafahi waters.
East to southeast winds 20/25knots gradually turning west with winds increasing to 30-40 knots by from tomorrow. Rain developing, becoming heavy at times with squally thunderstorms from tomorrow with flooding including sea flooding of low lying areas along the west coast of Niuatoputapu likely.
For Vava'u and Ha'apai waters:
East winds 15/20kts turning southeast and increasing to 40knots from tomorrow. Rain developing, becoming heavy at times with squally thunderstorms from tomorrow with flooding including sea flooding of low lying areas.
For the rest of Tonga waters:
Easterly winds 15/20kts fresh and gusty at times turning northeast and increasing to 40kts from tuesday. Rain developing becoming heavy at times with squally thunderstorms and flooding including sea flooding of low lying areas expected from tuesday as well.
Tides
Low tide 04:35am
High tide 10:55am
Mean sea level pressure recorded at Fua'amotu at 1:00am was 1005.7 millibars with 1004.4 millibars at Vava'u and 1004.3 millibars at Ha'apai.
The next special weather bulletin for Tonga on Tropical Cyclone Wilma will be issued around 07:00am monday 24 January 2011. National Weather Forecasting Centre, Fua'amotu.