A tropical cyclone alert is now in force for Tonga. Special Weather Bulletin Number One for Tonga was issued from the Tonga Meteorological Centre today, Friday April 3, at 12:21pm.
Tropical cyclone alert
Situation: Tropical depression 14f centre was located near 14 decimal 6 south 178 decimal 8 east or 522 kilometers west of Niuafo'ou at 10:00am this morning.
The system is currently slow moving but is expected to start moving southeast in the next 12 to 24 hours.
For Niuas:
Northwest winds 20 to 25 knots with gusts to 35 knots.
Winds possibly increasing to damaging gale force winds in the next 24 to 36 hours. Periods of rain, heavy at times with squally thunderstorms. Rough to very rough seas. Moderate northwesterly swell developing. Sea flooding of low-lying coastal areas possible.
For Vava'u group:
Southeast winds 20 to 25 knots over open waters, fresh and gusty over land.
Winds turning north to northeast and possibly increasing to damaging gale
Force winds in the next 48 hours.
Cloudy periods with a few showers. Rain developing later tomorrow.
Rough seas. Moderate southeast swell.
Ha'apai and Tongatapu groups:
Southeast winds 20 to 25 knots over open waters, fresh and gusty over land.
Cloudy periods with few showers. Rough seas. Moderate southeast swell.
The next special weather bulletin for Tonga will be issued at 6:30 pm at Tonga Met.
