Tropical Depression Formation Advice #1 for Tonga

Issue Time: 8:00am Friday 10^th December 2021.
Next Issue: 8:00pm Friday 10^th December 2021.
Issued by the Tonga Meteorological Service

ADVICE SUMMARY:

An area of convection has persisted near Latitude 10.6S and longitude 154.5E approximately 615km Southwest of Honiara, Solomon Islands, or 3450km Northwest of Nukuálofa at 7:00am, 10^th of December, 2021. This area of convection has a potential to develop into a Tropical Depression within 12 hours based on the favorable conditions of its environment. The system has average winds of 15-20knots (30-40km/hr) and it is slow moving. The potential to develop into a Tropical Cyclone in the next 24hours is moderate to high. This system is not likely to affect Tonga at this stage.