UPDATED: A Tropical Cyclone warning is now in force for Niuatoputapu and Vavaʻu, Fua’amotu Weather Forecasting Centre reported on its tropical advisory number one at 3pm today December 31.
It said Category One Tropical Cylone Ula was located about 570km East of Niuatoputapu or 670km North East of Vava’u at 12:00pm this afternoon.
Tropical Cylone Ula has estimated winds of 80km/hr near its centre and is currently moving South-South West at 25km/hr.
Cyclone Ula developed on Wednesday night and has caused stormy weather around Kiribati, Tokelau and Tuvalu throughout the week.
For Vava’u and Niuatoputapu: Moderate to fresh East to South East winds, becoming strong and gusty in the next 24 to 48 hours .
Cloudy with occassional showers, gradually becoming overcast with rain heavy at times.
Rough seas. A moderate East to South East swell.
For the rest of Tonga:Moderate to fresh East to South East winds, fresh and gusty at times.cloudy with scattered showers.
Rough seas. A moderate East to South East swell.
Predictions: High tide : 12:00pm, Low tide : 06:10pm
The mean sea level pressure recorded at fua’amotu at 3:00pm was 1006.9 millibars and the relative humidity was 79%.
The next tropical cyclone advisory for Tonga will be issued at 09:00pm this evening or earlier.
