Tropical Cyclone Advisory Number 12 for Tonga on Tropical Cyclone Yasa

ISSUED FROM THE FUA’AMOTU TROPICAL CYCLONE WARNING CENTRE AT 04:00AM SATURDAY 19 DECEMBER 2020

THE STORM FORCE WIND WARNING PREVIOUSLY INFORCE FOR HA’APAI LAND AREAS AND COASTAL WATERS IS NOW DOWNGRADE TO GALE WARNING.

THE GALE WARNING PREVIOUSLY INFORCE FOR VAVA’U AND THE NIUAS LAND AREAS AND COASTAL WATERS IS NOW DOWNGRADE TO STRONG WIND WARNING.

A STRONG WIND WARNING REMAINS INFORCE FOR TELE-KI-TONGA AND TELE-KI-TOKELAU COASTAL WATERS.

A HEAVY RAIN WARNING AND FLASH FLOOD ADVISORY REMAINS INFORCE FOR ALL OF TONGA LAND AREAS.

A HEAVY DAMAGING SWELL WARNING REMAINS INFORCE FOR ALL OF TONGA COASTAL WATERS.

A SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY REMAINS INFORCE FOR ALL OF TONGA COASTAL WATERS.

FOR TONGATAPU AND ‘EUA:

East to Northeast winds 20-30 knots (40-60km/hrs) and it is expected to rise up to damaging gale force winds of 35-45 knots(70-90km/hrs) at times with momentary gusts of storm force winds 50-60knots (100-120km/hrs).
Mostly cloudy and overcast with periods of occasional rain, heavy at times. Moderate seas (up to 2.5 metres) becoming rough to very rough seas (up to 6-8 metres). A heavy damaging Northwesterly swell (up to 4-9 metres).

FOR HA’APAI:
East to Northeast winds 15-20 knots (30-40km/hrs), rising up to strong force winds of 25-30 knots(50-60km/hrs) at times with momentary gusts up to gale force winds 35-45knots (70-90km/hrs).
Mostly cloudy and overcast with periods of occasional rain, heavy at times. Moderate seas (up to 2.5 metres) becoming rough to very rough seas (up to 6-8 metres). A heavy damaging Northwesterly swell (up to 4-9 metres).

FOR VAVA’U:
East to Northeast winds 10-15knots (20-30km/hrs) with momentary gust up to strong force winds 20-30knots (40-60km/hrs) at times. Cloudy and overcast at times with periods of heavy occasional rain and thunderstorms. Moderate seas (up to 2.5 metres) becoming rough to very rough seas (up to 6-8 metres). A heavy damaging Northwesterly swell (up to 4-9 metres).

FOR THE NIUAS:
North to Northwest winds 10-15knots (20-30km/hrs) with momentary gust up to strong force winds 20-30knots (40-60km/hrs) at times. Mostly cloudy and overcast with occasional rain, heavy at times with isolated thunderstorms. Moderate seas (up to 2.5 metres) becoming rough to very rough seas (up to 6-7 metres). A heavy damaging Northwesterly swell (up to 4-9 metres)

FOR TELE-KI-TONGA AND TELE-KI-TOKELAU COASTAL WATERS:
Southeast winds 20-25knots (40-50km/hrs) then rising up to 30-35knots (60-70km/hrs). Moderate to rough seas (up to 4-6 metres). A heavy damaging Northwesterly swell (up to 4-9 metres).