Results for Natural events

A storm warning is in force for Ha'apai and storm-force winds, heavy rain and possible flooding are expected to batter much of Tonga, in the next 48 hours, 16-17 June 2026, Tonga Meteorological Services warned today.

The Tonga Meteorological Service recorded cooler-than-average overnight temperatures across the island this morning, although they remained above the coldest June temperature ever recorded in Tongatapu.

During April 2026, a total of 81 earthquakes were recorded within the Tonga region (Figure 1). Most earthquakes recorded during the month were small to moderate in magnitude and occurred at deep depths beneath the earth’s surface. 

A transition to El Niño is highly likely, with over a 60% chance of its development between May and July 2026 in the Pacific, the Tonga Meteorological Services stated on its Climate & Ocean Outlook May-July 2026.

A tropical cyclone warning for Tonga was deactivated at 1:00pm today. Tonga Met stated that Tropical Cyclone ‘Vaianu’ (Category 2) was located near about 835km southwest of Nuku’alofa, Tongatapu and ‘Eua at 12:00pm this afternoon and the system is moving south at a speed of 6 knots (12km/hr) and further away from Tongan waters. However an active trough slow moving over Tonga will continue to bring strong winds and heavy rain to southern areas for the next 12 hours.

Tropical Cyclone “VAIANU” (CAT 2) has intensified into a Severe Category 3 cyclone at 7:00pm on Monday 6 April, located about 295km west north west of Suva, Fiji. “At the moment, the system does not pose any threat to the land areas of Tonga in the next 24-48 hrs,” stated Tonga Meteorological Service at 10:00pm

HM King Tupou VI officially commissioned the Mango Housing Resettlement in ‘Eua on Saturday, 28 February 2026, handing over 12 newly completed homes to families displaced by the devastating Hunga Tonga–Hunga Haʻapai eruption of 15 January 2022.

Tonga’s Prime Minister, Lord Fakafanua, and senior government officials witnessed dramatic changes to the active Home Reef volcanic island, during a United States Government Pacific regional jet demonstration flight hosted by the United States Embassy.

The height of steam and vapour emissons from Home Reef have increased in January, during an ongoing eruption. The Alert Colour Code (ACC) for the Aviation Community is now increased to ORANGE, due to the possibility of ash being emitted, the Tonga Geological Services Volcano Watch reported this week.