27th December, 2019 Tropical Depression (TD) 03F has intensified further and has been upgraded to Tropical Cyclone strength status at 1am local time this morning. It has been given the name of Tropical Cyclone “SARAI” (category 1). Tropical Cyclone (TC) SARAI was located near 14.5 South latitude, 176.1 East longitude or about 245 Kilometers South-Southwest of the island of Rotuma or 290 Kilometers North-Northwest of Yasawa -i-rara in the Fiji island group at 7am this morning. TC “SARAI” is currently moving South at about 16 Knots (32 Km/Hr) with a maximum 10-minute average winds up to 35 knots (70 Km/Hr) near its center.
From its position at 1am local time this morning and with cross-reference to our island groups it was about 900 Kilometers West of Niuafo’ou, 1100 Kilometers West of Niuatoputapu, 1155 West-Northwest of Neiafu, Vava’u, 1175 Kilometers West-Northwest of Pangai, Ha’apai, 1180 Kilometers Northwest of Nuku’alofa, Tongatapu and about 1220 Kilometers Northwest of ‘Ohonua, ‘Eua. The system is still far away from the Kingdom of Tonga as of its latest position at 1am this morning.
The weather forecasting models are in good agreement that TC “SARAI” (category 1) would continue to track south over to the Fiji group of islands for the next 12 to 24hrs. As of the latest forecast track this morning, TC “SARAI” is expected be closing into our Tonga waters between Sunday (29th December 2019) to Monday (30th December 2019).
The Fua’amotu Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre (FTCWC), will be activated at around 1pm local time this afternoon. All operations of the Tonga Meteorological Services will enter Tropical Cyclone Operational mode and Tropical Cyclone Advisories (TCAs), Alerts and Warnings will be issued accordingly starting from 1pm local time this afternoon.
The weather as we head into this weekend is expected to deteriorate as the system moves closer to our Tonga waters and land areas. We should be expecting damaging to destructive gale force winds and heavy rain which may lead to flooding. Storm surges could also be expected along the coast. For mariners, strong winds with rough seas could be expected from today onwards until next week. The situation is closely monitored, and any alert and warning will be issued as and when significant changes are anticipated.
Members of the public are always advised to remain alert and vigilant and to take warnings and advisories from relevant authorities seriously when issued, remain prepare and to be updated with the latest weather information.
For more details and the latest on weather, please contact the Tonga Meteorological Services on 35355, 35008 or visit the Tonga Meteorological Service’s website at www.met.gov.to . You can also visit the Tonga Meteorological Service official Facebook page for latest updates.
ENDS
For further information please contact the Meteorology Division on 35355 or metstaff@met.gov.to. More information is also available at www.met.gov.to
