The Fiji Meteorological Service says residents in various parts of the country should be prepared for the kind of weather conditions associated with Tropical Cyclone Mal.
For the Yasawa and Mamanuca Groups, and western, northern and southern Viti Levu, Vatulele, Kadavu and nearby smaller islands:
-expect strong northeast to southeast winds up to 45km/hr with gusts to 80km/hr. Winds may further increase to gale force with speeds of 65km/hr with gusts to 90km/hr from this afternoon and may further increase to storm force with speeds of 95km/hr with gusts to 130km/hr from tonight.
These areas should expect periods of rain, heavy at times and squally thunderstorms, rough to very rough seas and high to very high seas from today.
For Rotuma:
-residents should expect strong northwesterly winds up to 45km/hr with gusts to 80km/hr. Winds may further increase to gale force with speeds of 65km/hr with gusts to 90km/hr later in the morning. Rotuma should also expect periods of rain, heavy at times and few thunderstorms with very rough to high seas.
For the western half of Vanua Levu [Dreketi, Bua to Savusavu], eastern Viti Levu and Lomaiviti Group:
-expect strong north to southeasterly winds up to 45 km/hr with gusts to 80 km/hr. winds may further increase to gale force with speeds of 85km/hr with gusts to 120km/hr from this afternoon. Residents should expect periods of rain, heavy at times and squally thunderstorms with rough to very rough seas, high seas from today.
For the rest of the Fiji Group:
-expect strong northeast to southeast winds up to 45km/hr with gusts to 80km/hr. winds may further increase to gale force with speeds of 55km/hr with gusts to 80km/hr from tonight, occasional rain, heavy at times and few thunderstorms over most places.
