A HEAVY rain and strong wind warning is in force for parts of the Fiji as a trough of low pressure with associated cloud and rain affects the group.
This is because of the Tropical Disturbance, TD02F that lies slow moving to the east of Solomon Islands embedded within the trough, which extends to the west of Fiji.
It is expected to gradually move southeast and anticipated to pass over the Fiji Waters on Thursday.
The effects of heavy rain and strong winds are anticipated to be felt in parts of the country from tonight as TD02F tracks close to the country.
The system is moving into an unfavorable environment and has very low chance of intensifying into a depression or a cyclone.
The following alerts and warnings, issued by the Fiji Meteorological Service as of 4pm today, are now in place:
- A “Heavy Rain Warning” remains in force for the southern and eastern parts of Viti Levu. Expect occasional rain, heavy at times with few thunderstorms and rain to become heavy and frequent from tonight.
- A “Heavy Rain Alert” remains in force for the rest of the Fiji Group. Anticipate cloudy periods with occasional showers, heavy at times and thunderstorms. Showers increasing to rain, becoming frequent and heavy from tonight.
- A “Strong Wind Warning “is now in force for land areas of southern Lau and Lomaiviti Group, Kadavu and nearby smaller islands, Yasawa and Mamanuca Group and the western and southern parts of Viti Levu. Expect moderate to fresh easterly winds today. Winds to gradually turn and become northeast with speeds of 40 to 50 km/hr gusting to 60km/hr. For the rest of Fiji, moderate to fresh easterly winds, turning and becoming northeast, fresh and gusty at times from later tonight.
- A “Strong Wind Warning” remains in force for all Fiji Waters. For Fiji waters, mariners can expect easterly winds 20 to 25 knots with rough seas and expect very rough seas through the passages. Winds are expected to become predominantly northeast later tonight. Visibility will be poor in areas of heavy showers/rain and thunderstorms.
