A tropical cyclone warning remains in force for the Niuas.
The Fua’amotu tropical cyclone warning centre issued the warning at 7pm today (6pm New Zealand time)
A strong wind warning remains in force for the rest of Tonga.
A heavy rain and flash flood warning for Vava’u has been cancelled.
At 4pm Tropical Cyclone Ella was located about 150km north east of Niuatoputapu and 317km east-northeast of Niuafo’ou at near latitude 15. 1 south, longitude 172.7 west.
The system was moving west-northwest at about 5 knots (10km/hr).
Ella is expected to lie about 90km north of Niuatoputapu at midnight.
Kiliki heni ke ke lau he ongoongo faka-Tonga. Fakatokanga Saikolone ki he Ongo Niua
The warning centre said this evening there was a chance of winds on Niuatoputapu rising to gale force winds developing, with a speed of 35-40 knots (65-75km/hr) this evening.
The forecast for tomorrow is for cloud with periods of rain, heavy at times with squally thunderstorms, and possible flash flooding.
For Niuafo’ou, the forecast is for east to southeast winds 25-30 knots(45-55km/h), with gusts up to damaging gale force winds 35-40 knots tonight.
There will be occasional heavy showers with squally thunderstorms.
A gale warning remains in force for the Niuas and Vava’u coastal areas.
A heavy damaging swell warning remains inforce for all Tonga coastal waters.
A strong wind warning remains inforce for Ha’apai, Tongatapu and ‘Eua coastal waters, with rough seas.
There is a possibility of damaging gale force winds in Niuatoputapu coastal waters:
Damaging gales are also forecast for Niuafo’ou and Vava’u coastal waters tomorrow.
The main points
- A tropical cyclone warning remains in force for the Niuas.
- The Fua’amotu tropical cyclone warning centre issued the warning at 7pm today (6pm New Zealand time)
- A strong wind warning remains in force for the rest of Tonga.
- A heavy rain and flash flood warning for Vava’u has been cancelled.
