MEDIA RELEASE No.7

10am Sunday 03rd January 2016

SEVERE TROPICAL

A STORM WARNING REMAINS IN FORCE FOR , OGEA, AND ONO-I-LAU.

A GALE WARNING REMAINS IN FORCE FOR KABARA, NAMUKA, MOCE, ONEATA, MATUKU, AND KOMO.

A STRONG WIND WARNING REMAINS IN FORCE FOR THE REST OF LAU GROUP, EASTERN VITILEVU, LOMAIVITI GROUP, KADAVU, AND THE NEARBY SMALLER ISLANDS AND EASTERN .

At 6am this morning, Severe Tropical Cyclone Ula (CAT3) was located near 19.1 degrees South latitude and 177.5 degrees West longitude or about 155km east of Kabara or about 215km northeast of Ono-i-lau. TC Ula continues to move west-southwest at about 15km/hr and is expected to intensify further. Close to its centre, the cyclone is expected to have average winds of 150km/hr and momentary gusts to 205km/hr.

On this track the cyclone is expected to be located about 95km southeast of Kabara or about 140km north-northeast of Ono-i-lau at 1200 noon today and about 105km south of Kabara or about 85km north of Ono-i-lau at 6pm today.

Destructive winds may begin several hours before the cyclone centre passes nearby or overhead.

FOR FULAGA, OGEA, VATOA AND ONO-I-LAU: Destructive storm force winds with average speed 95km/hr and momentary gust to 140km/hr. Periods of heavy rain and squally thunderstorms. Damaging heavy swells with sea flooding of low lying coastal areas.

FOR KABARA, NAMUKA, MOCE, ONEATA, MATUKU, TOTOYA AND KOMO: Damaging gale force winds with speeds of 75km/hr and momentary gusts to 100km/hr. Periods of heavy rain and squally thunderstorms. Damaging heavy swells with sea flooding of low lying coastal areas.

FOR THE REST OF LAU GROUP, EASTERN VITILEVU, LOMAIVITI GROUP, KADAVU, TAVEUNI AND THE NEARBY SMALLER ISLANDS AND EASTERN VANUA LEVU: Strong southeast to southwest winds with average speed of 45km/hr gusting to 65km/hr. Occasional rain, heavy at times.

FOR THE REST OF : Moderate to fresh west to southwest winds, gusty at times. Occasional rain, heavy at times.

FOR MARINERS FOR LAU WATERS AND SOUTHERN KORO SEA: Expect winds of hurricane force and phenomenal seas within 15 Nautical miles of centre. Storm force winds and very high seas out to about 35 nautical miles from centre. Gale force and high seas out to about 60 nautical miles in northern semicircle and 100 nautical miles in southern semicircle from centre. Damaging heavy swells.

FOR THE REST OF FIJI WATERS: West to southwest winds 20 to 30 knots with gusts to 45 knots. Rough to very rough seas. Moderate to heavy swells.

Fig 1: Tropical Cyclone Ula Forecast Track Map issued from RSMC Nadi at 8am on Sunday 3rd January, 2016.

Fig 2: Mean Sea-Level Pressure chart issued from RSMC Nadi at 4am on Sunday 3rd January, 2016.

TC Ula

Fig 3: Colourised Infrared satellite imagery at 7:30am on Sunday 3rd January, 2016. -The white star indicates the supposed low level circulation centre of Severe TC Ula. -The darker red is indicative of areas of heavy rainfall in a rain band.

Fig 4: Latest composite radar image at 08.40am on Sunday 3rd January, 2016.

Rewa Catchment River Level (m) Warning Level (m) STATUS 6am Nabukaluka 1.56 5.0 Decreasing Navolau 2.41 8.0 Decreasing Waimanu 2.00 5.0 Normal Nayavu 1.20 8.0 Decreasing Nausori Bridge 1.96 6.0 Decreasing Wailotua 0.90 3.5 Decreasing Navua Catchment River Level (m) Warning Level (m) STATUS 6am Navua Town 0.03 2.5 Decreasing Sabata 0.67 6.0 Normal Rakiraki River Level (m) Warning Level (m) STATUS Catchment 6am Vaileka Town 0.40 2.0 Decreasing Vatukacevaceva 0.11 1.5 Normal Sigatoka River Level (m) Warning Level (m) STATUS Catchment 6am Tuva 0.69 4.5 Decreasing Keyasi 1.02 5.0 Decreasing Sigatoka Bridge 0.88 4.5 Decreasing Table 1: Water levels are decreasing.

Location Wind Direction Wind Speed Maximum Gusts (knots) (knots) Vanuabalavu WSW 22 33 WSW 25 32 Ono-i-lau SSW 21 32 Vunisea WNW 14 20 Momi W 19 25 Yasawa-i-rara W 20 28 Yaqara WSW 15 21 Table 2: Maximum wind speed and gusts recorded from 6pm on Saturday 02nd January to 6am on Sunday 03rd January 2016.

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 and take alerts and warnings seriously.

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