Tonga's National Meteorological Service needs reforming in order to manage an increasing number of climate related hazards and projects, 'Ofa Fa'anunu, told the 5th Pacific Meteorological Council meeting in Samoa this week, when he presented Tonga's country report.
You are here
Results for Natural events
Friday 9 August 2019
Apia, Samoa
Premium content
Wednesday 24 July 2019
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Rainfall is forecasted to be average over Tongatapu and ‘Eua and below average for the rest of the country for July to September.
Premium content
Monday 1 July 2019
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Heavy rain and flash flooding with gale force winds are forecast over southern Tonga for the next 24 hours Tonga Met warned at 1pm Monday, July 1. Models forecast on windy.com show that Tuesday might be dark with exceptional downpours over the capital.
Friday 21 June 2019
Geneva, Switzerland
Dr Netatua Pelesikoti Taufatofua of Tonga has been approved as a new member of the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) Scientific Advisory Panel, an elite group of 15 scientists worldwide, who are experts on weather, climate and water.
Monday 17 June 2019
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A network of 88 civil defence sirens will be installed throughout Tonga as part of a new Multi Hazard Early Warning System that is expected to become operational by August next year.
Premium content
Sunday 16 June 2019
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
There is no tsunami threat from an earthquake 7.1m in the Kermadec Island this morning Sunday 16 June 2019. Small tsunami waves were recorded at Raoul Island sea level gauges this afternoon. Minor sea level fluctuations may occur in some coastal areas near the earthquake over the next few hours, the NWS Pacific Tsunami Warning Center Ewa Beach Hawaii advised at 2352 UTC (12:52 pm Tonga time). Tonga Met has cancelled the tsunami warning at 2:28pm.
Sunday 16 June 2019
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Tonga is currently on a tsunami watch after a strong unverified earthquake has been felt in the vicinity of Tonga this morning Sunday 16 June. Tonga's National Emergency Operation Centre (NEOC) is activated. Meanwhile, the NWS Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Hawaii forecast tsunami waves of less than 0.3 metres above tide level for Pacific Islands coasts including Tonga (forecasted) following a 7.4 magnitude earthquake in the Kermadec Islands Region. Tonga Met will broadcast updates on local radio.
Thursday 13 June 2019
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Extremely high rainfall was recorded in Niuafo’ou in May that was over double the mean average rainfall since records began.
Premium content
Monday 10 June 2019
Geneva, Switzerland
Tonga is spearheading increased support at the regional level for improved meteorological and hydrological services at the 18th Session of the World Meteorological Organisation Congress in Geneva.
Premium content
Friday 31 May 2019
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
There was no tsunami threat from two 6.1 magnitude earthquakes felt in Nuku'alofa early this morning, the Tonga Meteorological Service advised.
Friday 17 May 2019
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Drier weather has been forecast for most of Tonga up to July, except for Niuafo’ou, with the dry season starting on 1 May.
Premium content
Thursday 18 April 2019
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Nuku’alofa received its fourth highest rainfall on record in March of 451.1mm, more than double the average according to the latest climate update from Tonga Meteorological Services on April 16.
Thursday 28 March 2019
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Tonga Meteorological Services are working with communicators to improving climate and weather reporting. Users of weather information are attending a first User's Climate Outlook Forum, over two days, 27-28 March, hosted by Tonga Met at the National Reserve Bank Building, Nuku’alofa.
Friday 1 March 2019
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Tropical Cylcone Pola (Cat 4) has moved away from Tongatapu and was located 615km south southwest of Nuku’alofa at noon today, Friday. The hurricane warning has been cancelled for Tele-ki-Tonga and Tele-ki-Tokelau coastal waters in the far south of Tonga.
Premium content
Wednesday 27 February 2019
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Tropical Cyclone Pola Category 2 was located about 315km west of Ha’apai, 285km west northwest of Nomuka, 325km west of Ha'apai or 290km northwest of Nuku’alofa, at 5:00pm this afternoon. TC Pola is expected to develop into a Category 3 in the next 6 to 12 hours, according to Tonga Met's Tropical Cyclone advisory this evening.
Wednesday 27 February 2019
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Tropical Cyclone Pola Category 1 (previously called TD11F) was located about 305km northwest of Vava'u or 380km north northwest of Ha'apai at 1:00am this morning. Heavy rain and gale force winds may start to affect Vava'u and Ha'apai this morning, according to Tonga Meteorological Services.
Tuesday 26 February 2019
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A gale wind warning is now in force for all of Tonga land areas and coastal waters as Tropical Depression 11F was located 55km west southwest of Niuafo’ou or 245km west of Niuatoputapu or 385km northwest of Vava'u at 7:00pm this evening. There is a high chance for the system to develop into a tropical cyclone tonight, according to Tonga Meteorological Services.
Friday 15 February 2019
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
In the span of one week, Tonga experienced a rare occurrence of four extreme tropical weather systems, one after another passing through the group, when Tonga Met issued 22 six-hourly tropical cyclone alerts and seven three-hourly tropical cyclone warnings, over a record six days and 16 hours, between 2pm on 6 February to 6am on 13 February.
Premium content
Sunday 10 February 2019
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A tropical cyclone warning for Tonga was cancelled this morning as the low pressure system TD07F (that was Tropical Cyclone Neil) moves away from Tongatapu and 'Eua to the Southeast. The capital, Nuku'alofa, enjoyed patches of sunshine this morning, with fresh east to southeast winds.
Saturday 9 February 2019
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Tropical Cyclone Neil (Cat.1) is expected to pass directly over Tonga tonight, bringing heavy rain and wind gusts up to 55 knots (101km/hr) in Ha'apai and Tongatapu. The Fua'amotu Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre at 8:00pm tonight, Saturday February 9, stated that a heavy rain warning and flash flood advisory is now in force for all of Tonga.