Tropical disturbance TD02f is likely to intensify into a tropical cyclone.
This system was located slow moving to the east of Solomon Islands and forecast to intensify into a tropical cyclone by later today or early Tuesday.
And based on the intensity forecast, the system is expected to be elevated to category one (1) in the next 24 to 48hrs during its passage.
The Fiji Meteorological Service has forecast that on its current projected path, TD02F is expected to approach the Fiji group from later tomorrow, and continue its path through the country on Wednesday.
While the current projected path is over Viti Levu, the weatherman says there are “significant uncertainty” at present as the system has not yet fully developed.
“It may become much clearer when the system becomes a tropical cyclone. Given this new development, the whole Fiji group is advised to be on alert for a possible tropical cyclone,” the Fiji Met said.
As of last night, the national weather forecasting centre in Nadi issued a gale alert for the Yasawa group, Mamanuca group, and western and northern Viti Levu.
It also maintained its strong wind warning earlier issued for the rest of the Fiji group.
Quick updates (As of 9pm last night):
- TD02F location: 7.6S 166.6E, 1260km West-northwest of Rotuma or 1560km Northwest of Yasawa-i-rara.
- Strength: Maximum winds – 25 knots or 45km/hr and increasing
- Central Pressure: 1000 Hpa
- Movement: Slow moving
Forecast position:
- 12hr or 6am today: 8.9S 169.2E or 950km West-northwest of Rotuma or 260 km Northwest of Yasawa-i-rara (Confident: Moderate)
- 24hr or 6pm today: 11.0S 171.6E or 610km West-northwest of Rotuma or 900 km Northwest of Yasawa-i-rara (Confident: Moderate/High)
- 36hr or 6am on Tuesday: 13.3S 173.8W or 360km West-Northwest of Rotuma or 550 km Northwest of Yasawa-i-rara (Confident: High)
- 48hr or 6pm on Tuesday: 16.0S 175.2W or 210km West-northwest of Yasawa i Rara or 260 km Northwest of Nadi (Confident: High)
Source: Fiji Met
