A cyclone warning is now in force in the Niuas’ land areas and coastal waters.
Met Services said a strong wind warning is now in force for Vava’u, Ha’apai, Tongatapu, ‘Eua, Tele-Ki-Tonga and Tele-Ki-Tokelau land areas and coastal waters.
A heavy rain warning and flash flood advisory remain in force for the Niuas, Vava’u and Ha’apai.
A heavy damaging swell warning remain in force for the Niuas coastal waters.
It said topical depression 06f was located near latitude 10.0 south, longitude 174.3 west or about 665km north of Niua Toputapu or 635km north-northeast of Niua Fo’ou at 1pm this afternoon.
This system is slow moving and has the potential to develop into a tropical cyclone in the next 48 hours.
Meanwhile, a low pressure system lies slow moving over to the southeast of Niuafo’ou extending a trough to the rest of the group. associated clouds, heavy rain and strong winds will affect the Niuas and parts of the group.
In the Niuas the northeast winds of 15-20 knots (27-37 km/hr), is expected to gradually increase to strong winds 30-35 knots (55-65 km/hr) later this evening, with momentary gusts of up to 40 knots (75km/hr) by tomorrow.
For Tongatapu and ‘Eua the winds of 15-20 knots (27-37 km/hr) is expected to gradually increase to strong winds 25-30 knots (45-55km/hr) at times.
