FIJI METEOROLOGICAL SERVICE GOVERNMENT OF REPUBLIC OF

MEDIA RELEASE No.59

4pm, Wednesday, 04 April 2018

HEAVY RAIN ALERT FOR FIJI GROUP

An active trough of low pressure with associated cloud and rain lies slow moving about the northern parts of the Group. It is expected to gradually move south and affect the country tomorrow.

Occasional rain, heavy at times and squally thunderstorms is expected over Yasawa Group, Northern Lau Group, , and nearby smaller islands. Occasional rain is anticipated to become frequent and heavy with squally thunderstorms from tonight.

Elsewhere, expect cloudy periods with afternoon or evening showers and thunderstorms. Isolated heavy falls is also anticipated. Showers expected to increase to rain and become frequent and heavy with squally thunderstorms later tomorrow. Localised heavy falls may lead to flooding of low lying areas. Currently, the following alerts and warnings remain in force:

1. A “Heavy Rain Warning” remains in force for Yasawa Group, Northern Lau Group, Vanua Levu, Taveuni and nearby smaller islands;

2. A “Heavy Rain Alert” remains in force for the rest of Fiji;

3. A “Flood Alert” remains in force for low lying areas, small streams and areas adjacent to the major rivers of Vanua Levu and Taveuni;

4. A “Strong Wind Warning” remains in force for Yasawa Waters, Northern Vanua Levu waters, Kadavu and Vatu-i-Ra passages, Koro Sea and Lau Waters.

Meanwhile, a low pressure system is anticipated to develop to the far west of Fiji and likely to intensify into a disturbance and possibly into a tropical depression and to move closer to Fiji this weekend. The chance of the system developing into a tropical cyclone while remaining to the west of Fiji is high by Sunday.

Depending on how far from the group it tracks, it is likely to bring strong to near gale force winds especially over the northern parts of the Group, Yasawa and Mamanuca Groups, western , which could even increase to damaging gale force winds early next week. The actual track, intensity and timing of the system remain uncertain and will become clearer as the system draws closer to the country.

As the system moves closer to the Group, expect periods of heavy rain and squally thunderstorms with rough to very rough seas in the weekend and could even increase to high seas. Damaging heavy swells is also expected with high risk of severe river flooding especially to affect the Western Division again as more than 100mm of rainfall in 24 hours can be anticipated out of the system as it passes southwest of the Fiji Group.

Over Yasawa, Lau and Northern Vanua Levu Waters, Koro Sea, Vatu-i-Ra and Kadavu Passages, mariners can expect westerly to northwesterly winds 20 to 25 knots, gusting to 35 knots with rough seas and moderate southeast swells.

For the rest of Fiji Waters, expect west to southwest winds 15 to 20 knots with moderate to rough seas and poor visibility in areas of heavy rain and thunderstorms.

All communities living in flood prone and low lying areas are reminded to take all necessary precaution and remain alert and to keep listening to the radio or television for latest weather information.

We will continue monitoring the situation closely and any alert and warning will be issued as and when necessary. Members of the public are advised to remain updated with the latest weather information and take alerts and warnings seriously.

For more details and the latest on weather, please contact the National Weather Forecasting Centre on 6736006, 9905376 or visit the Fiji Meteorological Service’s website, www.met.gov.fj. You can also visit the Fiji Meteorological Service official Facebook page for latest updates.

Figure 1: Weather Map at 12pm today on 04 April 2018.

Figure 2: Satellite image at 4.30pm today on 04 April 2018.

Figure 3: Radar image at 4:10pm today on 04 April 2018.

ENDS