The storm warning previously in force for Vava’u group is now cancelled, the Fua’amotu Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre said at 4.30pm Friday 19.
The heavy rain and flash flood warnings previously in force for Vava’u is now cancelled, but remains in force for Niuatoputapu and Niuafo’ou.
It said Winston, a category 4 cyclone, was located 170km north-northwest of Neiafu at 03:00pm this afternoon.
However Met said Winston’s current track apparently it would lie about 265km west-northwest of Neiafu or 260km south-southwest of Niuafo’ou at about 1 am tomorrow morning (20/02/2016).
A heavy damaging swell warning remains in force for all Tonga coastal waters, it said.
However a gale warning is now in force for Vava’u and remains in force for Niuatoputapu, Niuafo’ou and Ha’apai.
Met also said a strong wind warning remains in force for Tongatapu and ‘Eua.
Near its centre, the cyclone is estimated to have an average winds speed of 195km/hr(105 knots) with momentary gust of 275km/hr(150 knots).
