Upgraded to Category 3, Tropical Cyclone Ian is intensifying and currently threatens Tonga's northern Niuafo‘ou Island where damaging gale force winds are expected this evening.

The Fua‘amotu Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre (TCWC) at 1:15pm warned that if Cyclone Ian continues on its current track it could bring damaging gale force winds to Vava‘u within the next 18 – 24 hours. A gale alert is also in force for Ha‘apai and a strong wind warning in force for Niuatoputapu.

Tropical Cyclone Ian has been defined as a Severe Tropical Cyclone Category 3, located 165km southwest of Niuafo‘ou (10:00am) moving east at 3 knots, with estimated winds of 65 knots near its centre and momentary gusts up to 90 knots. It is expected to move southeast in the next 6 to 12 hours.

The Weather forecast for Tonga today is

Niuafo’ou: Northwest winds of 20-25 Knots, increasing to 30-35 knots with momentary gusts of up to 40 to 45 knots in the next three to six hours. Rain heavy at times with flash flooding expected. Seas rough to very rough with heavy northwest swell.

Vava’u Group:  

North to Northeast winds of 10-15 knots increasing to 20-25 knots with momentary gust of 30 to 35 Knots in the next 18-24 hours, cloudy periods with occasional showers with rain developing in the next 18-24 hours, seas becoming rough with moderate North West Swells.

Ha’apai Group:

East winds 10-15 knots increasing to 20-25 knots with momentary gusts of 30 to 35 knots in the next 24 to 36 hours, cloudy periods with occasional showers developing into rain in the next 24 to 36 hours, seas becoming rough with moderate northwest swells.

Niuatoputapu & Tafahi

North to northwest winds 15-20 knots increasing to 20-25 knots today. Cloudy periods with occasional showers,seas becoming rough with moderate northwest swells.

Tongatapu and ‘Eua

East winds of 10-15 notes today turning southeast and increasing to 20-25 knots tomorrow, mainly fine apart from cloudy periods with a few showers, moderate seas with moderate east swells.