A Tropical Depression (TD07F) affecting the Fiji Group, located about 350km North-northeast of Nadi at 1pm yesterday could develop into a tropical cyclone in the next 24 to 48 hours, says the Nadi Weather Office.

“It has a central pressure of 995hPa and accelerating as it is moving towards the southeast,” Fiji Meteorological Service (FMS) director Ravind Kumar said.

“On this projected path it is expected to pass to close to Fiji on Friday. The system is likely to turn into a tropical cyclone in the next 24 to 48 hours.”

TD07F is said to bring heavy rain warnings.

Tropical Cyclone Ula

The National Weather Forecasting Centre in Nadi, last night, forecast heavy rain bands, gusty winds and flash floods in parts of the country today.

This was the forecast at 7pm as Tropical Cyclone (TC) Ula intensified into a Category Two cyclone. The centre forecasted that TC Ula, since last night, was expected to maintain a southwest track and would weaken as she approached Fiji. At 1pm yesterday, TC Ula was located near 15.4 degrees South, 167.8 degrees West or about 460 kilometre east-southeast of Apia, Samoa, and moving towards the southwest at 10 knots.

 “On this projected path, it is expected to lie about 360km east-northeast of Vavau (Tonga) at 1pm on Friday and about 180km northwest of Vavau at 1pm on Saturday,” Mr Kumar said.

“The path of Tropical Cyclone Ula indicates that she is approaching from the East, but is expected to weaken as it moves closer to the group.

“However the associated active rain bands are expected to bring heavy rain over the country with gusty winds.

“There will be occasional rain, heavy at times with localised heavy rain likely to lead to flash flooding. A strong wind warning remains in force for Rotuma and strong northerly winds with average speed of 50kmp/h and gusts up to 65km p/h.”