Results for Tonga Met

With drier weather forecasts for the next few months, Tonga Meteorological Service is urging people throughout Tonga to conserve water as conditions favour the emergence of El Nino.

Severe Tropical Cyclone Gita is forecast to hit Tonga with up to Category 4 force winds from tomorrow morning, Monday February 12, according to the latest forecast from the Nadi Tropical Cyclone Centre in Fiji. Tongans are handicapped in their preparations for the storm as strict sabbatical laws prevent Sunday trading for emergency supplies. At 4:30pm today the capital, Nuku'alofa remains quiet and sleepy. Tonga Met officers said this afternoon that if the cyclone speeds up from its present slow moving approach it might arrive earlier. A hurricane warning remains in place for most of Tonga. Tonga should be on high alert until the storm passes on Tuesday morning.

An 'Ocean Tides' workshop aims to strengthening ocean and maritime forecasting to improve safety and resilience. The workshop is hosted by Tonga Meteorological Service from November 13-17 in Nuku'alofa.

Meteorological services in the Pacific Islands have common challenges, and these will be discussed at the Fourth Pacific Meteorological Council Meeting in Honiara next week, says the chairman 'Ofa Fa'anunu, who is looking to strengthen communications services. By Linny Folau in Honiara

A short tremor was felt in Tongatapu tonight at around 4:03 am. The M 5.7 earthquake rattled houses and woke people, who stayed indoors sheltering from the gale force winds and heavy rains brought to Tonga overnight by Tropical Cyclone Winston - an unusual cyclone that is worrying weather experts because it is moving north.