Severe tropical cyclone Kevin intensified to a category 5 system at midday today over open waters to the southeast of Vanuatu.

It lies to the far west of Fiji and is gradually moving southeast. Severe TC Kevin is expected to track to the south of the Group tonight and tomorrow while remaining over open waters.

The associated active trough of low pressure with cloud and rain approaches the Group from the west and is expected to affect the Group from today until early next week.

Periods of rain, heavy at times and thunderstorms likely over Yasawa and Mamanuca Groups, Western Viti Levu, Kadavu and nearby smaller Islands, and Lau and Lomaiviti Groups. Elsewhere, occasional showers and thunderstorms expected, increasing to rain and becoming heavy from later tonight.

Localised heavy falls may lead to flash flooding of low lying and flood prone areas especially in Western Viti Levu.

Strong and gusty winds with average speeds up to 60 kilometres per hour with gusts up to 80 kilometres per hour are expected over the land areas of Yasawa and Mamanuca Groups, Northwestern Viti Levu [Rakiraki-Tavua-Ba-Lautoka-Nadi], Kadavu and nearby smaller islands, Lau and Lomaiviti Groups, Bua, and Eastern Macuata [Labasa to Udu Point].

Winds of this strength are not destructive; however, it can break tree branches, damage crops and weak, unshielded structures like temporary sheds and tents in exposed communities.

For mariners;

Expect very destructive hurricane force winds of 80 knots with gusts up to 125 knots over Conway Reef and over open waters in the southern parts of Fiji’s EEZ. Phenomenal seas and damaging heavy northerly swells is expected over these waters. Poor visibility in areas of heavy rain and thunderstorms.

Expect damaging to destructive sustained gale force winds up to 45 knots with gusts to 65 knots over open waters of far southwest Viti Levu, far Southern Koro Sea and far Southern Lau Waters. Sea conditions is expected to be very rough with high waves, moderate to heavy northerly swells and poor visibility in areas of heavy rain and thunderstorms.

Strong northerly winds up to 25 to 30 knots, gusting to 45 knots is expected over the rest of Fiji waters. Sea conditions expected to be rough to very rough with moderate northerly swells. Poor visibility in areas of heavy rain and thunderstorms.

From next week Monday, damaging heavy swells with wave heights up to 4 meters is expected over Fiji waters. Thus, there’s risk of coastal inundation over the coastal areas of Yasawa and Mamanuca Groups, Coral Coast, Beqa, Vatulele, Kadavu and Southern Lau Group.

Hazardous breaking waves, strong currents are risky for swimming, fishing and other recreational sea activities. Sea conditions can also be dangerous especially for small sea crafts as it can capsize due to large waves and rough seas.

Current warnings;

A Heavy Rain Warning remains in force for Yasawa and Mamanuca Groups, Northern Ra, Greater Nadi, Lautoka and Ba Area, Sigatoka, Interior Nadroga-Navosa, Kadavu and nearby smaller islands, and Lau and Lomaiviti Groups.

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

A Flash Flood Advisory remains in force for flood prone areas, small streams and low lying areas within Northern Ba and Ra, greater Nadi, Lautoka, Ba and Tavua Area, Sigatoka, and interior Ba and Nadroga/Navosa.

A Strong Wind Warning remains in force for the land areas of Yasawa and Mamanuca Group, Northwestern Viti Levu [Rakiraki-Tavua-Ba-Lautoka-Nadi], Kadavu and nearby smaller islands, Lau and Lomaiviti Groups, Bua, and Eastern Macuata [Labasa to Udu Point].

A Hurricane Warning remains in force for Conway Reef and open waters in the southern parts of Fiji’s EEZ.

A Gale Alert remains in force for open waters of far Southwest Viti Levu, far Southern Koro Sea and far Southern Lau waters.

For more information and clarification, please contact the National Weather Forecasting Centre on (679) 6724888 or via email at all-fcstrs@met.gov.fj .

For latest forecasts, you can visit the Fiji Meteorological Service website at www.met.gov.fj or you can follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

Click on the link to access the 5-Day Tropical Cyclone Outlook: https://www.met.gov.fj/index.php?page=5dayoutlook

Click on the link to access the latest Strong Wind Warning (land areas) update: https://www.met.gov.fj/index.php?page=public

Click on the link to access the latest Strong Wind Warning (over waters) update: https://www.met.gov.fj/index.php?page=marine

Source: FIJI METEOROLOGICAL SERVICE

Feedback: ana.degei@met.gov.fj