Tropical Cyclone alert for Niuafo'ou [1]
Saturday, December 15, 2012 - 17:25. Updated on Monday, September 9, 2013 - 18:40.
Tropical Cyclone Advisory Number 8 for Tonga on severe Tropical Cyclone Evan issued from Fua'amotu Tropical Cyclone Warning Center at 12:45pm 15 December 2012.
Tropical Cyclone Alert
A tropical cyclone alert remains in force for Niuafo'ou.
A strong wind warning and heavy rain advisory remain in force for Niuafo‘ou and Niuatoputapu.
A strong wind warning remains in force for the rest of the group.
Seas flash flood advisory due to unusual high tides remains in force for all low-lying areas of Tonga.
Severe Tropical Cyclone Evan [960hpa] Category 4 center was located near 12 decimal 5 South 174 decimal 2 west or about 375km northeast of Niuafo'ou at 1000am this morning. Tropical Cyclone Evan is moving west southwest at 11km/hr. Average winds close to the centre is estimated to about 180 km/h with momentary gusts to 240 km/hr.
On this track Tropical Cyclone Evan may bring damaging gale force winds over Niuafo‘ou waters in the next 12-18hours.
For Niuafoou:
East to northeast winds 40-60 km/h increasing to 70km/h with momentary gusts up to 100km/hr in the next 12 to 18 hours. Occasional showers, becoming frequent and heavy at times with squally thunderstorms from tomorrow. Rough seas, possibly becoming high in the next 12 to 18 hours. Heavy swells developing.
For Niuatoputapu:
Strong east to northeast winds 50 to 60 km/h. Occasional showers, becoming frequent and heavy at times tonight with squally thunderstorms. Rough to very rough seas. Moderate to heavy swells.
For the rest of the Tonga group:
Southeast winds 40-50 km/h. Cloudy periods with showers. Rough seas. Moderate southeast swells.
Low tide: 02:50pm
High tide:09:00pm
Mean sea level pressure at Lupepau'u Airport at 12:45pm was 1007.8
The next Tropical Cyclone Advisory for Tonga will be issued at or around 0700pm this evening, Saturday 15 December.