Storm warning which was previously in force for Fulaga, Ogea, Vatoa and Ono-i-Lau is cancelled. A gale warning remains in force for Ono-i-Lau and Vatoa.

A strong wind warning remains in force for the rest of lau group, yasawa and mamanuca group, northern and southern Vitilevu, Lomaiviti group, Kadavu, Vanua Levu, Taveuni and the nearby smaller islands.

Severe Tropical Cyclone Ula (CAT3) was located near 21.6 degrees South latitude and 180.0 degrees longitude or about 170km west-southwest of Ono-i-lau or about 310km southsouthwest of Kabara at 6am this morning.

Close to its centre, the cyclone is expected to have average winds of 150km/hr and momentary gusts to 205km/hr. TC Ula approached the Southern Lau Group from east and passed between Ogea and Vatoa around mid-day yesterday. It continues to track southwest, moving away from the Southern Lau Group at about 16km/hr.

On this track, the cyclone is expected to lie about 275km southwest of Ono-i-lau or about 415km south-southwest of Kabara at 1pm today and about 335km southwest of Ono-i-lau or about 495km south-southwest of Kabara at 7am tomorrow morning.

TC Ula is expected to gradually weaken in the next 12 to 24 hours, slow down on the current track and anticipated to track north westwards. It poses no direct threat to Fiji at this stage.

FOR ONO-I-LAU AND VATOA: Damaging gale force winds with speeds of 75km/hr and momentary gusts to 100km/hr. Damaging gale force winds is expected to ease during the next 6 hours as TC Ula moves further away. Periods of heavy rain and squally thunderstorms. Damaging heavy swells with sea flooding of low lying coastal areas.

FOR THE REST OF LAU GROUP, YASAWA AND MAMANUCA GROUP, NORTHERN AND SOUTHERN VITILEVU, LOMAIVITI GROUP, KADAVU, VANUA LEVU, TAVEUNI AND THE NEARBY SMALLER ISLANDS: Strong southwest to northwest winds with average speed of 45km/hr gusting to 65km/hr. Occasional rain, heavy at times.

THE REST OF FIJI: Moderate to fresh west to southwest winds, gusty at times. Occasional rain, heavy at times.

FOR MARINERS: FOR SOUTHERN LAU WATERS AND SOUTHERN KORO SEA: Expect winds of hurricane force and phenomenal seas within 15 Nautical miles of centre. Storm force winds and very high seas out to about 35 nautical miles from centre. Gale force and high seas out to about 90 nautical miles in northern semicircle and 110 nautical miles in southern semicircle from centre. Damaging heavy swells.

FOR THE REST OF FIJI WATERS: Southwest to northwest winds 20 to 30 knots with gusts to 45 knots. Rough to very rough seas. Moderate to heavy swells.