Results for Natural events

A low pressure system, at the end of Tropical Cyclone Rae, moved out of southern Tongan waters last night, and no longer poses a threat to Tonga. The Fua’amotu Tropical Cyclone Center was de-activated at 10:00 am this morning, 26 February, by the Tonga Meteorological Services.

A recent eruption at the Home Reef Volcano has produced a significant crater along with large rocks ejected, observed in satellite images taken of the remote island on 8 and 20 February. An ash plume is rising near the vent. Tonga Geological Services Volcano Watch Team warned mariners to stay at least 2 nautical miles away from Home Reef until further notice. Meanwhile, “the volcanic activity poses low risk to the Vava'u and Ha'apai communities,” they stated in a public notice issued at 8:30pm today, 21 February.

A Tropical Disturbance "TD05F" was located about 1700km west of Nuku'alofa, Tongatapu at 7:00am this morning, Tuesday 4 February, 2025. “The system does not pose a threat to Tonga in the next 24 to 48 hours”, reports Tonga Meteorological Services.

A cyclone warning for the Niuas, Vava'u and Ha'apai, issued on Friday was cancelled by Tonga Meteorological Services on 11 January. TC Pita category 1, the first cyclone of the season for Tonga, moved southeast at a speed of 11 knots away from the group and will no longer affect Tonga. There was no cyclone damage reported in Vava'u. The Neiafu town officer, Mr. Vava Lapota said the wind was normal throughout the weekend.

Tropical Disturbance "TD04F" located near Fiji at 1:00pm today is expected to track through northern Tongan waters on Friday. “The potential for this system to develop into a Tropical Cyclone in the next 24 hours to 48 hours is low to moderate,” Tonga Meteorological Services advised today.

Thermal volcanic activity at the Home Reef Volcano is continuing into the New Year. “The island continues to grow along the northeastern side. The newly formed lava lobe, as of 2 January, 2025, is ~67,000 square meters, covering about 42% of the island’s total area,” Tonga Geological Services advised today, and issued a hazard alert for mariners to keep 2 nautical miles away from the area.

A Tropical Disturbance TD02F located to the west of Fiji (or about 1500km west northwest of Nuku'alofa) does not pose a threat to Tonga in the next 24 to 48 hours, the Tonga Meteorological Service, advised at 2:00pm today, 1 January 2025.

A heavy rain warning and flash flood advisory are now in force for Tongatapu, 'Eua, and Ha'apai land areas, Tonga Meteorological Services issued at 1:00 pm this afternoon. There is a cloudy, rainy, gusty outlook for Christmas in these areas, with isolated thunderstorms.

A Hazard warning was issued today, 13 December, for mariners to sail 4 kilometres distance from Home Reef after thermal activity was observed through Volcano-Thermal satellite monitoring. No ash has been detected. The warning was issued by the Volcano Watch Team, Tonga Geological Services.