A gale warning is in force for all land areas of Tonga bringing heavy rain to the capital today. The bad weather is expected to continue tomorrow, Thursday March 7, with increasing strong winds that can be damaging.

A weather bulletin for Tonga issued by the National Weather Forecast Centre at Fua'amotu at 11:00am today stated that a developing low pressure system to the west of Tongatapu and 'Eua is gradually moving southeastwards bringing cloud, rain and strong winds to affect the Tonga group.

The forecast to midnight tomorrow is strong north to northeast winds, gusty at times. Winds increasing and may be damaging. Overcast with rain, heavy at times, squally thunderstorms with flash flooding, including seas flooding of low lying coastal areas.

The outlook for Friday March 8 is strong northerly winds, overcast with occasional rain, heavy at times with squally thunderstorms.

Coastal waters

A strong wind warning is also in force for all Tonga coastal waters with heavy damaging swells advisory in force for Vava'u, Ha'apai, Tongatapu and 'Eua coastal waters.

"North to Northwest winds 20-30 knots and gusting up to 35 knots in areas of squally thunderstorms and heavy rain increasing to 30-35 knots with momentary gusts up to 45 knots from tonight. Rough to very rough seas, heavy damaging swells and poor visibility in areas of heavy rain and squally thunderstorms."

Flights

There was only one international flight into and out of Tonga today, and it was not affected by the bad weather. Air New Zealand's flight from Auckland arrived at Fua'amotu International Airport and departed as scheduled this afternoon.

Tonga's new domestic carrier Real Tonga made four scheduled return flights to Vava'u and 'Eua this afternoon. The flight to Ha'apai was cancelled later this afternoon due to the bad weather.