MEDIA RELEASE No.6

3pm Tuesday 16th February 2016

TROPICAL CYCLONE – WINSTON (CAT2)

 The Gale Warning previously in force for Ono-i-Lau, Vatoa, , Ogea, , Namuka, Komo, Moce, Oneata and is now cancelled.

 A Strong wind warning remains in force for Lau and Lomaiviti group.

TC Winston passed south of Ono-i-Lau and it was closest to the island at around 10pm last night. The maximum sustained wind of 51 knots was recorded during the passage of the cyclone.

Tropical Cyclone (TC) Winston continues to maintain Category 2 strength and is moving away from , towards the Kingdom of Tonga.

At midday today, it was located near 19.1 degree South latitude and 175.6 degree West longitude or approximately 370km east-northeast of Ono-i-Lau or about 350km east- southeast of Lakeba. It has a central pressure of 985hPa and continues to move northeast at about 28km/hr (about 14 knots). Close to its centre, the cyclone is estimated to have average winds of 95 km/hr (about 50 knots) with momentary gusts up to 130 km/hr (about 70 knots), increasing to 110 km/hr (about 60 knots) within the next 24-hours.

TC Winston is predicted to continue moving northeast, away from the Fiji group and is expected to lie about 680km east-northeast of Ono-i-Lau and about 600km east of Lakeba at midday tomorrow. On this track, it is expected to be located about 840km northeast of Ono-i- Lau and about 730km east-northeast of Lakeba at midday on Thursday.

On its projected path, Winston is anticipated to recurve around midday Thursday and take a westward track. The model guidance indicates that it may approach Fiji from the east later in the week. At this stage, it is uncertain whether TC Winston will directly affect Fiji; however we will continue to monitor the system closely over next few days.

For Lau and Lomaiviti group: Strong west to southwest winds with average speed of 45km/hr and momentary gusts of 80km/hr. Occasional rain and squally thunderstorms. Isolated heavy falls possible. Rain easing from later today.

For the rest of Fiji: Moderate to fresh westerly winds, gusty at times. Winds turning southerly from later today. Occasional showers and isolated thunderstorms. Isolated heavy falls possible.

The following information is for Mariners For Kadavu passage, Southwest Viti-levu, Koro Sea and Lau waters: West to southwest winds, 20 to 30 knots with gusts up to 40 knots. Rough to very rough seas, moderate to heavy swells.

For the rest of Fiji waters: Westerly winds 15 to 20 knots. Moderate to rough seas. Moderate swells.

For : A trough of low pressure remains slow moving over Rotuma. Occasional rain, heavy at times and squally thunderstorms. Moderate westerly winds, becoming fresh and gusty later today. Moderate to rough seas. Moderate north-westerly swells.

Figure 1: Mean Sea-Level Pressure chart issued from RSMC Nadi at 6:00am on Tuesday 16th February, 2016.

Tropical Cyclone Winston

Figure 2: Colourised Infrared satellite imagery at 01:30pm on Tuesday 16th February, 2016. (The darker red is indicative of areas of heavy rainfall in a rain band).

Figure 3: Tropical Cyclone Winston Forecast Track Map issued from RSMC Nadi at 1:00pm on Tuesday 16th February, 2016.

Fig 4: Radar Image at 2.10pm on Tuesday 16th February, 2016.

Figure 5: Severe Tropical Cyclone Winston Threat Map issues by RSMC, Nadi at 1:00pm on Tuesday 16th February, 2016.

Location 24-hr Rainfall (mm) Keiyasi 21.0 Ono-i-Lau 19.5 Korolevu 17.5 Nacocolevu 15.0 Kadavu 11.5 Tabua Sand 9.0 Matuku 8.0 Table 1: Some significant rainfall from 9:00am on 15th February to 9:00am on the 16th of February, 2016.

Location Wind Speed (knots) & Direction Ono-i-Lau 51 - Northwest Matuku 30 - Southwest Lakeba 26G38 - Southwest Vanuabalavu 23 - Westerly Kadavu 20 - Northwest Table 2: Some significant winds observed around Fiji in the last 24 hours

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 latest information and take alerts and warnings seriously whenever they are issued.

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