A tropical disturbance has been identified in the South Pacific, with the Fiji Meteorological Service assessing its potential to develop into a tropical cyclone as very low over the next 24 hours.
In its Tropical Disturbance Summary issued at 8.45am Fiji time today, the Regional Specialised Meteorological Centre (RSMC) in Nadi reported that Tropical Disturbance TD02F was located near latitude 8.0 degrees south and longitude 161.0 degrees west at 6am Fiji time.
The disturbance was situated in the northern Cook Islands region, approximately 1,800 kilometres east-northeast of Fiji.
The system, with an estimated central pressure of 1008 hectopascals, was slow-moving.
The Fiji Meteorological Service said persistent deep convection was occurring to the east and north of the system’s estimated low-level circulation centre.
It said the disturbance was situated in an environment of low wind shear, with sea surface temperatures around 29 degrees Celsius.
Global weather models indicate the system is likely to remain slow-moving initially before tracking southwest after 48 hours, with some intensification possible.
However, forecasters have assessed the potential for TD02F to develop into a tropical cyclone as very low in the next 24 hours and low in the following 24 hours.
The Fiji Meteorological Service continues to monitor tropical weather systems across the southwest Pacific as the region enters the cyclone season.
