A GALE warning previously in force for Tongatapu and 'Eua is now cancelled as a tropical depression moves away from Tonga to the southeast, but a strong wind warning remains in force for the Tongatapu, 'Eua and Ha'apai groups.
The weather forecast for Tonga issued from NWFC Fua'amotu at 3:00am today December 16, 2009, stated that the centre of the depression 01f, previously known as tropical Cyclone Mick, was located near 20 decimal 6 south 178 decimal 6 west or about 340km west of Nuku'alofa at 10:00pm on 15 December. The depression is moving southeast at 10 knots and continues to weaken. Close to its centre the depression is estimated to have average winds of 30 knots.
In this forecast track the depression centre was expected to lie about 185km southwest of Nuku'alofa at 9:00am today.
