MEDIA RELEASE No.1

10am Thursday 31st December 2015

TROPICAL CYCLONE ULA AND TROPICAL DEPRESSION 07F

Tropical Depression 05F has intensified into a category 1 system and named Ula at 8pm last night. The Tropical Disturbance 07F has also intensified and upgraded to a Tropical Depression.

At 7am this morning, Tropical Cyclone Ula was located near 14.7 degrees South 167.1 degrees West or about 510 kilometres east of Apia and moving south-southwest at 17 knots. TC Ula is expected to remain a category 1 system over the next 24 to 48 hours and maintain a south-southwest track. On this projected path, it is expected to lie 350km southeast of Apia at 7am tomorrow and about 480km south-southwest of Apia at 7am on Saturday.

Tropical Depression (TD07F) was located near 13.8 degrees South latitude and 177.6 degrees East longitude or about 155km south-southeast of Rotuma at 7am this morning. It has a central pressure of 995hPa and is moving east-southeast. On this projected path it is expected to pass to close to overnight tomorrow. The system lies in moderate to high sheared environment and 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 , Tokelau and Kiribati, Cook Islands and Niue.

For Fiji: At this stage, Tropical Cyclone Ula is not expected to directly affect Fiji. However, the associated active rain bands are expected to bring heavy rain over the country with possibly strong and gusty northwest winds. Therefore, occasional rain, heavy at times is expected over most places. Isolated thunderstorms are likely. Moderate east to northeast winds, fresh and gusty at times. Localised heavy rain may lead to flash flooding.

For Rotuma: A STRONG WIND WARNING REMAINS IN FORCE FOR LAND AND WATERS OF ROTUMA. Over Land: Strong northerly winds with average speed of 50 km/hr and gusts to 65km/hr. Over Waters: Strong northerly winds 25 to 30 knots, gusting to 40 knots. Rough to very rough seas. Periods of rain, heavy at times and few squally thunderstorms.

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 8am on Thursday 31st December 2015.

Fig 2: Mean Sea-Level Pressure chart issued from RSMC Nadi at 7am on Thursday 31st December 2015.

TC Ula

TD07 F

Fig 3: Colourised Infrared satellite imagery at 9.30am on Thursday 31st December 2015.

-The white star indicates the supposed low level circulation centre. -The darker green is indicative of areas of heavy rainfall in a rainband.

Fig 4: Latest radar image at 9.50am indicating the rainbands approaching Fiji from the West. It is advisable that people are to remain prepared at all times and keep updated with the latest weather bulletins.

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