Severe Tropical Cyclone Evan moves north of Niuas tonight [1]
Saturday, December 15, 2012 - 22:46. Updated on Monday, September 9, 2013 - 18:40.
Tropical cyclone advisory number 10 for Tonga on Severe Tropical Cyclone Evan, issued from the Fua'amotu Tropical Cyclone Warning Center at 10:00pm 15 December 2012.
Tropical cyclone warning.
A tropical cyclone gale warning remains in force for Niuafo'ou.
A damaging heavy swells warning remains in force for Niuafo'ou coastal waters
A strong wind warning remains in force for the rest of the group.
Severe Tropical Cyclone Evan [960hpa] category 4 center was located near 13 decimal 0 south 175 decimal 6 west or about 285km north of Niuafo'ou at 7:00pm this evening. Tropical Cyclone Evan is moving southwest at 11km/hr. Average winds close to the centre are estimated to about 170 km/h with momentary gusts to about 230 km/hr.
On this track Tropical Cyclone Evan may bring damaging gale force winds over Niuafo'ou waters in the next 12-18hours.
For Niuafo'ou:
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 more frequent tonight heavy at times with squally thunderstorms. Very rough seas, possibly becoming high in the next 8 to 12 hours. Heavy damaging swells developing.
For the rest of Tonga group:
southeast winds 40-50 km/h. Cloudy periods with some showers. Rough seas. Moderate southeast swells.
Low tide: 03:20am
High tide:09:45am
Mean sea level pressure at Fua'amotu at 10:00pm was 1012.2
The next Tropical Cyclone Advisory for Tonga will be issued at or around 0100am.
...
Fiji
Meanwhile, the Fiji Meteorological Service at 3:00pm his afternoon, December 15, warned that Tropical Cyclone Evan [960 hPa] was still intensifying and may attain Category 5 status in the next 24 hours to 48 hours
The Category (CAT) 4 centre was located near 12.6 South latitude and 174.5 West longitude or about 790 km east-northeast of Labasa or 980 km northeast of Suva, at 1pm DST Saturday 15 December.
"It is now moving towards the west-southwest at 30 km/hr. The cyclone is still intensifying and may attain Cat 5 status in the next 24 hours to 48 hours. Close to the centre, maximum sustained winds are estimated around 90 to 100 knots (170 to 185 km/hr). Damaging Gales extend to about 185 km to the south of the cyclone centre.
On this projected track, TC Evan should move close to or over Wallis and Futuna from tonight till tomorrow morning and keep just to the north of Fiji throughout Sunday 16 December, still as a CAT 4 or possibly CAT 5. However, at this stage, it is anticipated to move over and along the Yasawa and Mamnuca groups by Tuesday.
Damaging heavy waves/swells, generated by the combined effect of TC Evan and an intense area of high pressure to the far south of Fiji, are still expected. The resultant wave attack on coastal communities, especially in Northern Lau, Taveuni, Vanua Levu and nearby smaller islands, as well as northern Viti Levu and Yasawa and Mamnuca, is expected to be severe. At this time, maximum sustained winds near the centre of the cyclone, whilst just north of Fiji, are anticipated to be around or above 170 km/hr with momentary gusts over 230 km/hr. Rain will be frequent and heavy especially along and close to the track. Flooding including sea flooding of coastal areas is expected."
Fiji Met warned that though the projected track of TC Evan had now shifted just to the north of Fiji, all communities in Fiji should still be prepared, and heed warnings.