A Gale Warning remains in force for open waters between Fiji and Rotuma. Situation

Formerly tropical depression TD02F has intensified into a category 2 system and named Tropical Cyclone Yasa (TC Yasa).

The system was currently located over open waters between Fiji and Vanuatu.

TC Yasa is expected to make a clockwise loop just east of Vanuatu.

This is due to a high pressure system sitting in the Tasman Sea which is also slowing down the movement of TC Yasa.

The system will complete making the loop later today before taking a south-southeast movement towards Fiji.

TC Yasa is expected to be located just to the west of Viti Levu with severe cyclone strength on Friday.

With the system moving down towards Fiji, the associated trough and convergence zone will start to bring the active rain bands over the group.

By Saturday, the system is expected to slip just to the west of Viti Levu and Kadavu and continue to move southward.

Meanwhile, another Tropical depression, TD03F which lies just to the north of Tonga has also intensified further into a category 1 tropical cyclone and named tropical cyclone Zazu (TC Zazu) at midday yesterday.

Forecast

Expect the weather to gradually change for most places as the rain bands associated with TC Yasa moves over the group later today and into tomorrow bringing continuous heavy rainfall especially over Yasawa and Mamanuca Group then gradually spreading to the rest of the group by Thursday.

Expect the heavy rain to persist into Saturday and gradually start easing from Sunday.

Due to anticipated widespread heavy rain, there is risk of river flooding and flash flooding of low lying and flood prone areas. With the ground already saturated, there is also risk of landslides in landslide prone areas.

What to expect

Winds are expected to pick up and become damaging from later Thursday especially over the Yasawa and Mamanuca Group, northern Viti Levu, and Kadavu before gradually spreading eastwards to the rest of the group. While TC Yasa is expected to have severe cyclone strength (possibly category 3 or stronger) when it passes close to the west of the group while remaining over open waters, it may cause widespread power failures, blow away roofs and considerable damage to structures especially weak-structured houses. Damaging winds can also uproot big trees and cause total damage to shallow rooted plants and crops.

High waves about three-metres are expected over Yasawa and Mamanuca waters from today.

From tomorrow we can expect high waves more than 5 metres over southwest Viti Levu waters, Yasawa and Mamanuca waters and Kadavu Passage.

These high wave poses risk of coastal flooding in these areas. Sea conditions will also be hazardous for sailing and any other sea activities.

The current situation is closely monitored and any alert and warning will be issued as and when significant changes are anticipated. Members of the public are advised to remain updated with the latest weather information.

Contact details

For more details and the latest on weather, please contact the National Weather Forecasting Centre on 6736006, 9905376 or visit the Fiji Meteorological Service’s website, www.met.gov.fj.

You can also visit the Fiji Meteorological Service official Facebook page, Twitter and Instagram for latest updates.s.

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