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TC Ula Media Release 3.Pdf MEDIA RELEASE No.3 st 10am Friday 01 January 2016 SEVERE TROPICAL CYCLONE ULA AND TROPICAL DEPRESSION 07F At 7am this morning, Severe Tropical Cyclone Ula was located near 16.2 degrees South 169.7 degrees West or about 330km southeast of Apia and moving towards the west- southwest at 11km/hr. Over the last 12 hours, TC Ula has intensified and developed into a Category 3 midget system with 65 knots winds estimated near the centre. It is expected to maintain a west-southwest track for the next 24 to 48 hours. On this projected path, it is expected to lie about 120km north of Vavau (Tonga) or 520km east of Lakeba Island at 7am tomorrow and about 460km west of Vavau or 60km east-southeast of Lakeba at 7am on Sunday. Tropical Depression (TD07F) lies over Fiji and was located near 17.5 degrees South latitude and 179.1 degrees East longitude. It is moving south-southwest at about 16km/hr. It has a central pressure of 995hPa and. On this projected path it is expected to move south of Fiji later today. The system has low to moderate potential to develop into a tropical cyclone in next 24 to 48 hours. For Region: Strong wind warning remains in force for Tuvalu, Tokelau and Kiribati, Cook Islands and Niue. For Fiji: A STRONG WIND WARNING REMAINS IN FORCE FOR EASTERN VITI LEVU, VANUA LEVU, TAVEUNI AND NEARBY SMALLER ISLANDS, LAU AND LOMAIVITI GROUP. Forecast to midnight tonight for Eastern Viti Levu, Vanua Levu, Taveuni and nearby smaller islands, Yasawa and mamanuca Group: Strong clockwise winds with average speed of 45km/hr gusting to 65km/hr. Rough to very rough seas. Elsewhere, moderate to fresh clockwise winds, gusty at times. A HEAVY RAIN WARNING REMAINS IN FORCE FOR EASTERN AND NORTHERN VITI LEVU, LOMAIVITI AND KADAVU. A FLOOD WARNING IS NOW IN FORCE FOR THE LOW LYING AREAS AND AREAS ADJACENT TO WAILOTUA STATION AND AREAS DOWNSTREAM OF WAINIBUKA RIVER. A FLOOD ALERT IS NOW IN FORCE FOR THE LOW LYING AREAS AND AREAS ADJACENT TO NAYAVU STATION AND AREAS DOWNSTREAM FROM WAINIBUKA RIVER. A FLOOD ALERT IS NOW IN FORCE FOR THE LOW LYING AREAS ADJACENT TO RAKIRAKI STATION AND DOWNSTREAM OF RAKIRAKI STATION. On the forecast track, Tropical Cyclone Ula is expected to approach Fiji from the east and enter into the Southern Lau Waters late Saturday night as a category 2 system. TC alert is now being issued for Southern Lau Group. The associated active rain bands are expected to bring heavy rain over the country with possibly strong and gusty northwest winds. Therefore, periods of rain, heavy at times over eastern and northern Viti Levu, Lomaiviti and Kadavu. Isolated squally thunderstorms are likely. Moderate to fresh winds, gusty at times. For Rotuma: THE STRONG WIND WARNINGS PREVIOUSLY IN FORCE FOR LAND AREAS AND WATERS OF ROTUMA ARE NOW CANCELLED. For Mariners: East to northeast winds 15 to 20 knots, gusting to 30 knots. Winds becoming strong with speeds of 20 to 25 knots from tomorrow. Poor visibility in areas of heavy rain and thunderstorms. Moderate to rough seas. Fig 1: Tropical Cyclone Ula Forecast Track Map issued from RSMC Nadi at 7am on Friday 1st January, 2016. Fig 2: Mean Sea-Level Pressure chart issued from RSMC Nadi at 7am on Friday 01st January 2016. TC Ula TD07F Fig 3: Colourised Infrared satellite imagery at 9am on Friday 1sr January 2016. -The white star indicates the supposed low level circulation centre. -The darker green is indicative of areas of heavy rainfall in a rain band. Fig 4: Latest radar image at 7.10pm indicating the rain bands of Tropical Depression 07F over the Eastern Division. It is advisable that people are to remain prepared at all times and keep updated with the latest weather bulletins. Keep listening to the radio for the updated information. Secure your home and family so that they are safe. For more details and the latest on weather, please contact the Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre on 6736006, 9905376 or visit the Fiji Meteorological Service’s website, www.met.gov.fj ENDS. R KUMAR Director of Meteorology for Permanent Secretary Infrastructure & Transport .
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