A Heavy Rain Warning remains in force for Vanua Levu, Taveuni and nearby smaller islands, Lau and Lomaiviti Group.

A Heavy Rain Alert remains in force for the rest of the Fiji Group.

Situation

A trough of low pressure lies slow moving over the group with cloud and rain bands affecting most parts of the country till Friday. This has potential to bring severe weather over the group from today onwards.

Meanwhile, a number of lows were analysed yesterday over our region. The most significant low for yesterday was TD04F, located just northwest of New Caledonia. A second low was analysed west of Nadi.

Environment is favorable for tropical cyclone formation in our region, but the lows analysed over this area are currently not so well organised, therefore the potential for them to develop into a tropical cyclone over the next 24 to 48 hours is low.

However, there is high potential for one of these lows to move south over waters between Vanuatu and Fiji and develop into a tropical cyclone from Thursday onwards.

Forecast

Heavy rain and thunderstorms are a risk over the Fiji Group, especially over Vanua Levu, Taveuni and nearby smaller islands, Lau and Lomaiviti group. Heavy falls may lead to flash flooding of low lying and flood prone areas.

The current situation is closely monitored and any alert and warning will be issued as and when significant changes are anticipated. Members of the public are advised to remain updated with the latest weather information.

For more details and the latest on weather, please contact the National Weather Forecasting Centre on 6736006, 9905376 or visit the Fiji Meteorological Service’s website, www.met.gov.fj.

You can also visit the Fiji Meteorological Service official Facebook page, Twitter and Instagram for latest updates.