Special Weather Bulletin Number TWO FOR Fiji ISSUED FROM RSMC NADI AT 9.00pm on Sunday the 12th November 2023.

TROPICAL DISTURBANCE: TD02F

STATUS: DISTURBANCE

LOCATION OF CENTRE AND STRENGTH: Location: 7.6S 166.6E, 1260km West-Northwest of Rotuma or 1560km Northwest of Yasawa-i-rara.

Strength: Maximum winds: 25 knots or 45km/hr and increasing

Central Pressure: 1000 Hpa

Movement: Slow Moving

Time of observation or analysis: 6pm today (FST)

FORECAST POSITION:

* 12hr or 6am tommorrow: 8.9S 169.2E or 950km West-northwest of Rotuma or 260 km Northwest of Yasawa-i-rara (Confident: Moderate)

* 24hr or 6pm tomorrow: 11.0S 171.6E or 610km West-northwest of Rotuma or 900 km Northwest of Yasawa-i-rara (Confident: Moderate/High)

* 36hr or 6am on Tuesday: 13.3S 173.8W or 360km West-Northwest of Rotuma or 550 km Northwest of Yasawa-i-rara (Confident: High)

* 48hr or 6pm on Tuesday: 16.0S 175.2W or 210km West-northwest of Yasawa i Rara or 260 km Northwest of Nadi (Confident: High)

Based on the intensity forecast, the system is expected to be elevated to category 1 in the next 24 to 48hrs during its passage.

CAUTION: Damaging winds and cyclone impacts could begin several hours prior to the cyclone centres passes over or nearby. Thus, secure your homes and properties and know your evacuation centres.

List of all active Alerts or Warnings

A Gale Alert is now in force for Rotuma.

A storm alert is now remains in force for Yasawa and Mamanuca group, western and northern Viti Levu, western half of Vanua Levu [Bua to Dreketi]:

A strong wind warning remains in force for rest of Fiji.

A heavy rain warning remains in force for the northern division, Yasawa, Mamanuca, Lau and Lomaiviti groups.

A heavy rain warning is now in force for greater Suva/Nausori, Tailevu, interior Ra, Naitasiri & Serua-Namosi Ra-Rakiraki area.

A heavy rain alert is now in force for rest of Fiji group.

Situation:

An active trough of low pressure with associated cloud and rain affects the country.

Meanwhile, tropical disturbance td02f lies slow moving to the east of Solomon Islands and is expected to intensify into a tropical cyclone on Tuesday (14/11) evening.

The system is expected to drift south-eastwards and affect the Fiji group from later Tuesday(14/11).

Forecast:

For Rotuma:
Expect strong southeasterly winds up to 45 km/hr with gusts to 80 km/hr.

Winds increasing to 65km/hr with gusts to 90km/hr and becoming clockwise.

From early Tuesday: Periods of rain, heavy at times and few thunderstorms.

Rough to very rough seas.

For Yasawa and Mamanuca group, western and northern Viti Levu, western half of Vanua Levu [Bua to Dreketi]:
Expect strong southeasterly winds up to 45 km/hr with gusts to 80 km/hr.

Winds increasing to 95km/hr with gusts to 130km/hr and becoming clockwise from later Tuesday.

Periods of rain, heavy at times and few thunderstorms.

Rough to very rough seas.

For the rest of the Fiji group:
Expect strong southeasterly winds up to 45 km/hr with gusts to 80 km/hr.

Winds increasing to 95km/hr with gusts to 130km/hr and becoming clockwise from later Tuesday night.

Occasional rain, heavy at times and few thunderstorms over most places.

Possible impacts due to heavy rain:

– localised flooding of susceptible communities, business and low-lying areas.

– localised flooding of minor roads, iris crossing and bridges with some disruption to traffic flow.

– poor visibility at land and sea with increased risk of motor vehicle accidents due to slippery roads.

Possible impacts due to expected tropical cyclone from later Tuesday(14/11):

– significant damage to houses of very light materials and old galvanized iron roofs blown off

– risk of disruption in communication network and power supply due to damaged power lines

– most plants and crops are damaged and downed

– few small trees are broken and blocking roads with major disruption to traffic flow

– flooding of roads, settlements, properties and infrastructure near streams and river banks

– displacement of communities near streams and riverbanks due to flooding with danger to life

– localised disruption of essential services

– high risk of sea travel for all types of sea crafts

For fiji waters:

A storm alert is remains in force for the Vatu-i-ra passage, Yasawa, Mamanuca and northern Vanua Levu waters.

A strong wind warning remains in force for rest of fiji.

Expect southeast winds 20 to 30 knots.

Rough to very rough seas.

Winds increasing to 50knots, gusting to 70 knots and becoming clockwise later tuesday (14/11).

Seas becoming very rough to high seas later tuesday (14/11).

The next special Weather Bulletin for Fiji will be issued at 3.00am tomorrow morning or earlier.

Source: https://www.met.gov.fj/index.php?page=warn1#20020.txt