A gale warning is now in force for Rotuma, Yasawa Group, Northern Viti Levu from Ba, Rakiraki to Tailevu North, Vanua Levu, Taveuni and nearby smaller islands.
A “Tropical Cyclone Alert” remains in force for Lau and Lomaiviti Group;
A “Strong Wind Warning” remains in force for the rest of Fiji land areas;
A “Heavy Rain Warning” remains in force for Vanua Levu, Taveuni and nearby smaller islands, Yasawa and Mamanuca Group, Lau and Lomaiviti Group and the eastern half of Viti Levu.

Tropical Disturbance, TD03F was upgraded to a depression at 6am today. Tropical Depression, TD03F centre was located near 11 degrees’ south latitude and 172 degrees’ east longitude or about 470km west-northwest of Rotuma and about 860km northwest of Nadi at 7am today.

TD03F is expected to intensify further into a category 1 tropical cyclone in the next 12 to 18 hours with average winds of 65km/hr and momentary gusts to 90km/hr close to the centre. TD03F is currently moving east-southeast at about 22km/hr and is expected to start tracking southeast in the next 6 hours.

On the projected path, TD03F centre is expected to be located about 220km west-southwest of Rotuma or about 560km north northwest of Nadi at 7pm today and about 170km north-northeast of Yasawa-i-Rara or about 210 km northwest of Labasa at 7am tomorrow morning.

On its anticipated development and track, the system may bring damaging gale force winds over Rotuma from afternoon today and over Yasawa Group, Vanua Levu, Taveuni and nearby smaller islands and northern Viti Levu from tonight and over Lau and Lomaiviti Group from tomorrow.

Meanwhile, an active trough of low pressure with associated cloud and rain lies slow moving over Fiji.

For Rotuma, expect strong northwest winds with average speed of 55km/hr with gusts to 80km/hr.

Winds increasing further to damaging gale force winds with average speed up to 65km/hr and momentary gusts to 90km/hr from this afternoon. Expect periods of heavy rain and squally thunderstorm and damaging heavy swells over Rotuma. Sea flooding of low lying coastal areas expected.

Mariners can expect gale force winds with high seas over Rotuma Waters.

For Yasawa Group, Northern Viti Levu from Ba, Rakiraki to Tailevu North, Vanua Levu, Taveuni and nearby smaller islands, expect moderate to fresh southeast winds. Winds becoming strong with average speed of 50km/hr and momentary gusts to 80km/hr from this afternoon.

Winds increasing further to damaging gale force with average speed up to 65km/hr and momentary gusts to 90km/hr
from tonight.

Expect periods of rain, heavy at times and few thunderstorms in the above areas.

Rain becoming frequent from tonight. Flooding, including sea flooding of low lying areas likely.

For Lau and Lomaiviti Group, expect moderate to fresh southeast winds. Winds becoming strong with average speed of 50km/hr and momentary gusts to 80km/hr from evening. Winds may increase further to damaging gale force with average speed up to 65km/hr and momentary gusts to 90km/hr from tomorrow.

Expect periods of rain, heavy at times and few thunderstorms in the aboveareas. Rain becoming frequent from tomorrow. Flooding of low lying areas likely.

For the rest of Fiji, expect moderate to fresh southeast winds. winds becoming fresh to strong with speeds of 45 to 55km/hr and momentary gusts to 80km/hr from evening. Expect occasional rain, heavy at times and few thunderstorms. Flooding of low lying areas possible.

For Yasawa Waters, Vanua Levu Waters, Vatu-I-Ra Passage, Koro Sea and Lau Waters, mariners can expect east to Southeast Winds 20 To 25 knots and rough seas. Winds increasing to 25 To 30 knots from evening with rough to very rough seas. Winds further increasing to 35 to 40 knots from tonight with high seas. For the rest of Fiji Waters, expect east to southeast winds 20 to 30 knots
with rough to very rough seas.

The system is closely monitored and any alert and warning will be issued as and when necessary.