Update: 12:18AM A hurricane warning remains in force for Vanuabalavu, Yacata, Mago, Cicia, Tuvuca, Nayau, Koro, Gau, Vanuavatu and is now in force for Taveuni, Ovalau, Wakaya and Southern Vanua Levu.
A storm warning remains in force for Lakeba, Oneata, Moce, Komo, Namuka, Ogea, Kabara, Moala and is now in force for the rest of Vanua Levu, eastern half of Viti Levu.
A gale warning is now in force for the rest of Fiji.
A damaging heavy swell warning remains in force for low lying
coastal areas of Fiji.
A heavy rain warning remains in force for Fiji.
Severe tropical cyclone Winston centre [930hpa] category 5 was located near 17.3 south 176.9 west or about 220km east-northeast
of Lakeba or about 500km east of Suva at 9pm today. The cyclone is moving west at about 22km/hr.
Close to its centre, the cyclone is estimated to have average winds of 205km/hr and momentary gusts to 285km/hr.
On this track, the cyclone is expected to be located about 110km North-northwest of Lakeba or about 280km east-northeast of Suva at 9am tomorrow and about 240km west-northwest of Lakeba or about
110km Northeast of Suva at 9pm tomorrow.
Destructive winds may begin several hours before the cyclone
centre passes over head or nearby.
For Vanuabalavu, Yacata, Mago, Cicia, Tuvuca, Nayau, Koro, Gau, Vanuavatu, Taveuni, Ovalau, Wakaya and Southern Vanua Levu:
Expect very destructive hurricane force winds with average speed
of 205km/hr and momentary gust to 285km/hr. Periods of heavy rain and squally thunderstorms. Damaging heavy swells with sea flooding of
low- lying areas.
of Vanua Levu and eastern half of Viti Levu:
100km/hr and momentary gust to 140km/hr. Periods of heavy rain and squally thunderstorms. Damaging heavy swells with sea flooding of low
lying areas
For the rest of fiji:
Winds increasing to damaging gale force with average speed of
75km/hr and momentary gust to 100km/hr from tomorrow morning. Occasional showers
and isolated thunderstorms. Showers increasing to rain, becoming frequent and
heavy at times from tomorrow morning.
Damaging heavy swells. Flooding including sea flooding low lying areas
from tomorrow.
For the mariners: Expect winds of hurricane force and phenomenal
seas within 30 Nautical miles of centre. Strom force winds and very high seas
out to about 60 nautical miles from centre. gale force winds and high
seas out to about 150 nautical miles of centre.
The next special weather bulletin for fiji on severe tropical
cyclone Winston will be issued at 2am tomorrow or earlier.