Tropical cyclone Mona has continued to intensify and upgraded into a category 2 tropical cyclone at 10am today. TC Mona remains to the northwest of the Group and has gradually picked up speed in the las 24 hours.

The cyclone is expected to move towards the south-southwest till this evening, turn and move east- southeast towards the Fiji Group from tonight.

TC Mona centre was located near 14.7 degrees’ south latitude and 177.2 east longitude or about 230km north of Yasawa-i-Rara or about 300km northwest of Labasa at 10am today.TC Mona is moving south-southwest at about 15km/hr.

Satellite image at 10am today on 04 January 2019.

On the forecast track, the centre is expected to be located about 180km north-northwest of Yasawa- i-Rara or about 290km north-northwest of Nadi at 10pm today and about 130km north of Yasawa- i-Rara or about 250km north of Nadi at 10am tomorrow.

Given that the tropical cyclones have behaved erratically, when encountering land masses in the past, the possibility of TC Mona making a landfall over Vanua Levu on Monday morning remains a possibility at this stage and its movement will be closely monitored.

The outer active rain bands from TC Mona have started affecting the northern and eastern parts of the country. As the system moves closer to Fiji, rain will become heavy and frequent. Effects of strong  winds  are  also  expected  from  today  and  increasing  to  damaging  gale  force  winds  later tomorrow.

Tropical Cyclone Mona (CAT1), Threat Map at 8.51am today on 04 January 2019.

Depending on the closeness of the system to pass land areas, gale force winds can be expected especially  over  the  Yasawa  and  Mamanuca  Group,  Vanua  Levu,  Taveuni  and  nearby  smaller islands.  Damaging  winds  are  likely  to  begin  several  hours  before  the  cyclone  centre  passes overhead or nearby.

The effects of wind can cause damages to well-built framed homes which can blow away roofs, trees  uprooted  and  branches  being  broken,  severely  damage  weak  structures,  totally  destroy shallow rooted crops, cause loose objects to fly, damage electricity lines and poles, damage water infrastructure, etc.

For Fiji Waters, mariners can expect northeast to southeast winds 20 to 30 knots, gusting to 45 knots and moderate southerly swells. Poor visibility in areas of rain and thunderstorms. Winds may further increase to 35 to 40 knots with high seas over Vanua Levu Waters and Yasawa Waters from later tomorrow.

Tropical Cyclone Mona (CAT1), Forecast Track Map at 8.42am today on 04 January
2019.

Meanwhile, an active trough of low pressure with associated cloud and rain lies slow moving just north of Vanua Levu and affects the northern part of the Group.

A Special Weather Bulletin for Tropical Cyclone Alert is current to allow communities to prepare for the worst case scenario should the system directly affect the Group. The following alerts and warnings remain in force:

A “Gale Warning” is now in force for Yasawa and Mamanuca Group

A “Tropical Cyclone Alert” remains in force for Yasawa Group, Vanua Levu, Taveuni and nearby smaller islands and is now in force for the rest of Fiji

A “Strong Wind Warning” remains in force for Kadavu and nearby smaller islands, Yasawa Group and northern Viti Levu from Rakiraki to Tailevu North

A “Strong Wind Warning” remains in force for all Fiji Waters

A “Heavy Rain Warning” remains in force for Yasawa Group and Mamanuca Group, Vanua Levu, Taveuni and nearby smaller islands, the eastern half of Viti Levu, Lau and Lomaiviti group

A “Heavy Rain Alert” is now in force for the rest of Fiji

A “Flood Warning” remains in force for all low lying areas, small streams and areas adjacent to major rivers of Vanua Levu.

With rivers being at medium to high flows, soil already saturated and more rain predicted, the chances of flooding of low lying and flood prone areas is high. Sea flooding of low-lying coastal areas and damaging heavy swells is also anticipated. The Northern, and Eastern coastlines are at high risk of inundation by combined effect of wind stress, heavy swells, storm surge and high tide.

All communities living in low coastal, flood prone and low lying areas are reminded to remain alert  and  take  all  necessary  precautions,  similarly  for  those  living  in  landslide  prone  areas. Members of the public are advised to remain updated with the latest weather information and take alerts and warnings seriously.

Source: Fiji Met