Special Weather Bulletin Number 3 for Fiji issued from RSMC Nadi at 3.00am on Monday the 13th November 2023.

Status: Tropical Depression TD02F

Location of centre and strength: Location: 8.7s 168.6e, 1010km west-northwest of Rotuma or 1320km northwest of Yasawa-i-rara.

Strength: Maximum winds: 25 knots (45km/hr), gusting to 45 knots (80km/hr) and will continue to increase.

Central pressure: 999 hpa

Movement: slow moving

Time of observation or analysis: 12am today (FST)

Forecast Position:

* 12hr or 12pm today: 10.6s 170.9e or 690km west-northwest of Rotuma or 980 km northwest of Yasawa-i-rara (confident: high)

* 24hr or 12am Tuesday: 13.1s 173.2e or 410km west of Rotuma or 610 km northwest of Yasawa-i-rara (confident: high)

* 36hr or 12pm on Tuesday: 15.8s 175.2e or 420km west-southwest of Rotuma or 260 km west-northwest of Yasawa-i-rara (confident: high)

* 48hr or 12am on Wednesday: 18.7s 177.0e or 230km west-southwest of Yasawa i rara or 120 km northwest of Nadi (confident: high)

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

Caution: Damaging winds and cyclone impacts could begin several hours prior to the cyclone centre 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 remains in force for Rotuma.

A Storm Alert remains in force for Yasawa and Mamanuca group, western, northern and southern Viti Levu,  Vatulele, Kadavu and nearby smaller islands.

A Gale Alert remains in force for western half of Vanua Levu [Dreketi, Bua to Savusavu] and is now in force eastern Viti Levu and Lomaiviti group.

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, for greater Suva/Nausori, Tailevu, interior Ra, Naitasiri & Serua-Namosi Ra-Rakiraki area and is now in force for the rest of Fiji.

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

Meanwhile, Tropical Depression TD02F lies slow moving to the east of the Solomon Islands and is expected to intensify into a Tropical Cyclone on Tuesday (14/11) evening.

The system is expected to drift southeastwards and will 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, northern and southern Viti Levu, Vatulele, Kadavu and nearby smaller islands:

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 western half of Vanua Levu [Dreketi, Bua to Savusavu], eastern Viti Levu and Lomaiviti group:

Expect strong southeasterly winds up to 45 km/hr with gusts to 80 km/hr. winds increasing to 85km/hr with gusts to 120km/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 55km/hr with gusts to 80km/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 river banks 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 remains in force for the vatu-i-ra passage, yasawa, mamanuca, kadavu passage, koro seas 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 9.00am today or earlier.

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